While watching the Twins and Tigers square off last night I could not help but remember how much I love playoff baseball. 
Each year baseball gets overshadowed because of the start of football, what most people miss are the exciting playoff races and the emergence of late season heroes. Now October baseball begins, where every pitch is so crucial and if you lose, your season is over. Unlike Football, the MLB playoffs are played more than once a week. Unlike hockey and basketball, the MLB playoffs don’t take a year to finish. Its perfect. As much as I hate the first round because it is a five game series, It is great that only four teams from each league make the cut. This year the Yankees are the obvious favorites, but every team has to love their chances. Here are five things you need to know going into this postseason.
5.) Chris Carpenter healthy for the first time in three seasons, giving the Cardinals the best one two punch of any teams starting pitchers. The last time Carpenter was healthy he pitched the Cardinals to a world series championship, and it sure wont hurt Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday next to each other in the lineup.
4.) Rocktober is back, the Rockies are on fire going into October for the second time in three years. 
Umbaldo Jimenez has been unreal this season, if the Rockies can burn Cole Hammels in game 2 I think the Rockies will make quick work of the Phillies. As far as the rest of the playoffs, the Rockies historically bring their A game with Troy Tulowitski does the same. The Rockies certainly brought their A game when playing the Cardinals this season, going 6-1 this season. If these teams match up look for an upset.
3.) The Twins are the hottest team in baseball winning 17 of their last 21, including an emotional win in their one game playoff with the Tigers. However, momentum can only go so far. Their game one starter has only had 9 career starts and their bullpen is beat up. Joe Nathan might not even be available until game 2 against the Yankees. The Twins don’t have that ace pitcher who they can count on each time out, every other team does. I don’t see this story having a happy ending.
2.) Lets face it, whenever the Angles and Red Sox have been matched up its has been as god as a first round bye for Boston. This year might be different though. Even though I see the Red Sox taking this series, don’t believe it will be as easy as usual. Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez cannot throw out base runners. They have given up six stolen bases in a game three times this season. With the Angels running all over them, look for them to have to 13-15 at bats per game with runners in scoring position.
1.) The Yankees have a $1.5 new stadium, and spent over $400 million this year on three players. As much as I hate people who cry about team payrolls, lets face it the Yankees have the most talented team in the league. 
Derek Jeter recently said he wanted to give the boss a championship in his new stadium, really saying how he wanted to give him another title before he passes on. On paper, the Yankees look as though they will be world champions once again.
Predictions:
ALDS :Yankees over Twins
ALDS: Red Sox over Angels
NLDS: Rockies over Phillies
NLDS: Cardinals over Dodgers
ALCS: Yankees over Red Sox
NLDS: Rockies over Cardinals
World Series: Yankees over Rockies
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