Playoff Musings......

With the start of the 2010 baseball playoffs upon us, I will break down each American League team and take a look at each from several angles. Unlike 2009, where the Yankees were clearly the most dominant team coming out of the American League, this year is a complete crapshoot. With all four teams limping into the playoffs, there appears to be a legitimate case to be made for anyone of these four teams.

Yankees. For starters, as defending World Series Champions, they immediately get the nod because of pedigree, experience, oh and the largest payroll known to mankind. Although the Yankees have dominated the Twins in past post seasons, they are struggling with their pitching staff. Aside from their ace CC Sabathia, there are many questions that remain: most notably the health of Andy Pettite and concerns over AJ Burnett's precipitous decline.

Rays. Great team speed, solid pitching, stud closer and one of the best managers in the game. Gun to my head, the Rays appear to be the most complete team in the playoffs. However, this team is not a good hitting team. With a team average lingering in the .240's range, this team relies on clutch hitting to get the job done. What happens come playoff time against better pitching? Will the Rays find that same late inning magic? Will they be able to get clutch hits off the likes of Cliff Lee?

Twins. Sentimental favorite. This team always makes the playoffs regardless of whoever they lose in the offseason due to free agency. With perhaps the best manager in the game, along with a wide open playoff field, the Twins are becoming a trendy pick to beat the Yankees in their upcoming matchup. Main concerns include: no legitmate #1 pitcher. Yankees have Sabathia, Rays have Price, and the Rangers got Cliff Lee. As for Liriano, he is a very good pitcher but not an ace. Furthermore, having four good to very good pitchers is not tailor made for a best of five games series.

Rangers. This is the most difficult team to handicap for a myriad of reasons starting with the health of Josh Hamilton. Without knowing what to expect from Hamilton, it becomes harder to assess the Rangers chances. With the American League West wrapped up a long time ago, we have not seen the Rangers play a meaningful game in a long time. Will this impact their performance against the Rays? Also, what should we expect from Cliff Lee? After a dominating performance in last years playoff run for the Phillies, Lee has struggled at times during his tenure with the Rangers. If Hamilton and Lee are able to perform up to their lofty expectations, the Rangers can beat anyone.

*Yankees-Twins. With the Series price Yankees -180 (taking back +160 with the Twins), I'd prefer to take the Yankees in game 1 laying only -140 with Sabathia on the mound. If the Yankees are going to win this series, it is imperative that they win with their ace on the hill. Conversely, At 9-1 to win the World Series, the Twins are an attractive play. Conventional wisdom suggests that if the Twins are able to overcome their struggles against the Yankees, they could be poised for a run to the World Series.

Rays over the Rangers. As I mentioned earlier, the Rangers are an enigma heading into this post season. In a situation like this I am going to take the proven team, which means taking the Rays -145 to win the series.