AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins
Record: 94-68
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009
Last World Series Appearance: 1991
Last World Series Title: 1991
Total Championships: 3
2010 MVP: Carl Pavano (shockingly enough but this could go to a few guys)
AL Wild Card New York Yankees
Record: 95-67
Manager: Joe Girardi
Last Playoff Appearance: 2009
Last World Series Appearance: 2009
Last World Series Title: 2009
Total Championships: 27
2010 MVP: Robinson Cano
Leave it to the Twins to find themselves in the same situation year in and year out. After a great regular season and one of their rare division crowns that was not won on game 163 Minnesota is right back where they left 2009, up against a buzz-saw, the evil empire from the Bronx. This will be the 4th time in the last ten post-seasons these two squads will meet up in the ALDS, New York has won each of the previous three series. However, this is a new year and there is one big difference in 2010 in contrast to the past, this time the Twins have home field advantage. Despite at times forcing Yankee fans to wipe sweat from their brow the Twins never truly posed to be a threat in any of the past series. This time I feel they actually do.
New York crawled into the playoffs as if it is their birth right. They won just two of their last ten and instead of getting healthier down the stretch just seemed to become more banged up. Yes, they are the defending champs and yes, they are still one of the most talented teams ever put together, but, I do not see the same fire and hunger that surrounded this team all of last post-season. A-rod has his ring and has had a bit of an up and down year even though he did end up with another 30 home run and 120+ rbi campaign. On the other hand, the Twins are extremely thirsty for a shot to finally beat the franchise that possibly could have cost them a couple championships in the past. Minnesota had to over come the loss of their super star closer all season and managed just fine. Not only that but they bring a very comparable lineup to the table. They have power, speed, and play some of the best defense in all of baseball. They have a team that actually reminds me of some of the Yankee squads of the 90's, all-stars mixed with grizzled vets, young athleticism, and led by a quiet yet motivated man who knows exactly which buttons to push and when. Some questions if they could transition away from playing ping pong baseball at the Metrodome into the more conventional style needed for Target Field. Adding a guy like Jim Thome showed that they understood they would need to play a different game and they have done it well through out most of the season. Even with Morneau out for the entire playoffs, trust me that will hurt, Minnesota can still rebound. All that will do is ensure Thome is in the lineup every day without question. He is not the Thome from Cleveland's pennant winning days but is still a force at the plate and is in the perfect ballpark at this point in his career.
New York decided to not give Burnett a start and use Sabathia as much as possible. CC is the only guy they truly feel confident in right now but history shows that pitchers on 3 days rest tail off rather then dominate, this has even been seen in Sabathia's own history. Not only that, but the Yanks are going to need quality starts due to their struggles before Rivera in the pen. New York has all the experience and on paper should have no problem administering another sweep. However, I just don't think it will be that easy this time around. If the Twins can win game one they can shock and finally flip the script and eliminate New York. That first game will decide the pace more in this series then any other. Unfortunately I do see CC giving New York that needed opening W despite being on the road. Target is perhaps the one field very similar dimension wise to the new Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Bombers may feel right at home. I have gone back and forth on this and would love to see the small market Twins get over the hump, Gardenhire really deserves to manage in a World Series one day. With all that said, I am picking New York to advance in a slug fest. Pettitte and Jeter are just different guys in the playoffs and will turn it on. Minnesota's lack of playoff experience on the mound leaves more of the chance for an explosion that they can ill afford. In sports you often need to learn to lose before you can win, the Twins lesson is not over yet. Yanks in 5.
AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 96-66
Manager: Joe Madden
Last Playoff Appearance: 2008
Last World Series Appearance: 2008
Last World Series Title: NA
Total Championships: 0
2010 MVP: Carl Crawford
AL West Champion Texas Rangers
Record: 90-72
Manager: Ron Washington
Last Playoff Appearance: 1999
Last World Series Appearance: NA
Last World Series Title: NA
Total Championships: 0
2010 MVP: Josh Hamilton
These are two very talented and at times still underrated teams. Texas spent all off-season ensuring they would have the chance to get in the playoffs and they did. This is their first trip since the turn of the century. Unfortunately they are running into another well put together club at the worst possible time. In order for the Rangers to win their first ever playoff series they may need Cliff Lee to literally pitch every night, that is obviously not going to happen. We all saw him pick up two huge wins for Philly in the World Series last year but still watch as the Yanks had a champagne bath. One ace is not enough by himself. I'd say hitting wise is Texas's only edge. They bring several guys who can hit the ball a mile as well as put up a high average, something pretty uncommon these days. Michael Young and Josh Hamilton and company can also flash leather defensively at times. A lot of guys like Young and Kinsler are fantasy gems and do not get the credit they have deserved for years (put Young's numbers next to Jeter's and you may fall over how similar they are). Don't get me wrong though Tampa is not shit at the plate by any means. TB has just as much power, and is the fastest team in all of baseball, especially on their home pads. They do not hit anywhere near as high in the average department, you don't have to look any further then top slugger Carlos Pena's below .200 clip to know that. Crawford is playing for a contract and will be a force on the base pads, his peskiness could really get in the heads of every Texas pitcher not named Cliff Lee if they don't watch out.
Unlike Texas, Tampa does not have a top of the line ace, however, they have several great number two type guys. They have formed one of the better overall rotations in the bigs. Quality starts and an excellent bull pen can give the once Devil Rays a true shot to make another deep post-season run. Tampa just truly embodies a team and the fact that their payroll trim of 2011 is already a guarantee they may rally together knowing this is their last shot with this core unit. Team of destiny is written all over this group. Due to that and being a better overall team I am picking Tampa to win this pretty easily. Texas will pick up one win thanks to their offense and possibly Lee, Vlad may even continue his AL comeback player of the year season and carry them to it. After that TB should have it on lock. Pitching, defense, manger, experience, are all on the Rays side. My pick is Tampa in 4 although a sweep wouldn't shock me, Lee is not unbeatable. Tampa may be the only AL squad that could actually take out New York.
Over/under on fans for Rays home games 10,000 per?
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