Playoffs? Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?

So I guess there is an extra game today. They say it's still the regular season, but the team that wins this game gets to play more games. And this game wasn't originally scheduled. That sounds like playoffs to me. The Twins are playing playoff baseball! Again!

Well, if you haven't already noticed, this post is not by haasertime or soup. (The lack of humor, and sentences that begin with "and" were probably your first clue) It's my first time back at AH! in a long time. The last few months have been, as most of you know, interesting. And I chose that word carefully.

Don't feel bad if you don't get the above reference, that one was for me. But here is a hint: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/jwl/1406049121.html. Speaking of which, if you know of anyone in the market, let me know.

There has actually been a lot I wanted to discuss this summer, a summer that involved several moves (finally ending up in Minnesota), a great season of baseball and an exciting trip to the Minnesota State Fair. But those stories will have to wait another day.

I was given the task of simply giving my predictions for the upcoming playoffs. So that is what I shall do. First, the National League.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The Cardinals, one of the hottest teams in baseball (Pujols is sexy) has lost seven out of their last nine. Is this a case of easing up and coasting into the playoffs or a sign of them slowing down? I think the Cardinals will have no problem with the stalled Dodgers offense. The only question is exactly how good is the 1-2 combination of Carpenter and Wainwright. The answer is, very good.
Cardinals in 4

Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies
The Rockies are the team entering the playoffs on a hot streak. Can that momentum push them past the defending world champion Phillies? I would give the Rocks a chance if they played all the games in Colorado. Unfortunately for them, they won't. While Lidge will try to blow it, the Phillies will pull it off.
Phillies in 5

Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The BoSox have beat the LoAngAngOfAn (I just made that up, but I think it will catch on) in three straight divisional series. Could this be the year the Angels get help from Christopher Llyod and finally beat the Red Sox and their annoying fan base? I think so.
Angels in 4

Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees
At the time of this publication nothing had been decided in the American League Central. After last year's coin toss fiasco they changed the rule, this year, thankfully, the Twins and Tigers get together and pick one all-star team to play the Yankees. Today's game is just to help them figure out who makes the team. Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan are captains and Miguel Cabrera has a number between 1 and 10 behind his back. That and a bottle of booze.

But seriously folks, whoever wins gets swept by the Evil Empire.
Yankees in 3

Bummer, right?