AL playoffs - first round

[Boris]

A's v. Yankees

Red Sox v. Twins

A's v. Yankees is a toss-up. The Sox should take care of the Twinkies but you can never be sure in a 5 game series where you have to face Johan Santana twice.

[Dynasty]

If the season ended today, the Yankees would play the Twins. The Red Sox would play the A's. The division winner with the best record is supposed to play the wildcard team. But, if they're from the same division, the wildcard team will play the second best division winner.

East: Yankees 83-50
Central: Twins 75-58
West: A's 79-54
Wildcard: Red Sox 79-53 (Angels 4.5 behind, Rangers 6.0 behind)

[Boris]

I know. I'm predicting that the Sox will overtake the Yankees and the Yankees will be the wildcard team.

[andyfox]

On ESPN last night, just about everybody felt that the Yankees have little chance in the playoffs. I tend to agree, but they still have the best record in the league. The big difference between their team this year and the others from Torre's reign is their starting pitching.

If I had to rank the teams by their best chance to get to the World Series:

Oakland
Boston
Minnesota
New York

Is the first series still three out of five?

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]

Is the first series still three out of five?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes.

[Utah]

The twins have as good a shot as anyone. They played very well against both the Red Sox and Yankees recently. Santana is unbelievable and Radke is also dominant (8 shutout innings last night with 9 Ks). That gives them 3 games in the first series where they are likely to send the better pitcher to the mound.

The Twins are also awesome in the field. Their big weakness is that they are underpowered at the plate.

[JTG51]

The big difference between their team this year and the others from Torre's reign is their starting pitching.

It may be a long shot at this point, but don't you agree that if Brown, Mussina, and Vazquez can pitch close to as well as they are capable of, the Yankees have as good a shot as anyone?

Every team has flaws and is going to need some luck to win it all this year.

[sam h]

Santana has been the best in the league this year, but it remains to be seen whether he will be the same in October as he has never pitched this many innings.

All in all, I'd rather have Pedro/Schilling or Hudson/Mulder right now than Santana/Radke.

[Utah]

All three sets of pitchers are very good. Its hard to go against Santana/Radke right now the way they are pitching.

Santana outplayed Pedro in a game recently.

[sam h]

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Santana outplayed Pedro in a game recently.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pedro pitched a gem tonight, but looks like Santana may one-up him...