Started with 30 teams, now we are down to 8 teams and those 8 will begin the elimination march down to 4 today as the ALDS and the NLDS get underway. If you don't have a job, or are not a student, or are just playing hooky, you will get to see a full slate of three games today with one starting at 1:30, another one at 5:00 and finally a nightcap at 8:30. Here's a minipreview for what you could be watching about today:
American League Division Series:
The first game on slate for today features the Texas Rangers visiting the Tampa Bay Rays in what could be a really good game today. For the Rays you have phenom Fall pitcher David Price going up against one of the most coveted pitchers in Cliff Lee. Both teams feature explosive offenses to counter these powerful pitchers. Hopefully the Trop (its still Tropicana Field right?) will be filled today as the Rays look to use homefield advantage (if they can really get that) + their ability to hit lefty pitching to take the first game of this series.
The second ALDS game is also the last game of today and it will feature CC vs Liriano. In some regards this really could be Liriano's welcome back to the National stage party. When he first came up he was hailed as the next great pitcher but injuries held him back. After a successful 2010 campaign, he is ready to show the World that he is what he thought he could be. CC will be representing the 2009 World Series Champions as they look to repeat. I think I speak for almost all the Mets fans out there when I say, “Go Twins”.
National League Division Series
The middle game todya is probably the one I'm most excited and nervous about. In a post-season setting, the Phillies are set up to win as their first three starters can really carry this team. In order for the Reds to have a shot of winning this series, they must take this first game (which is in Philly) where Halladay is starting. If they can prevent momentum from forming, then they will have a legitimate chance of winning the Division Series. If Philly wins today, it looks almost certain that they will win this series.
