7 things we saw in the first round of the MLB playoffs.

Contributor Written on October 13, 2009

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DENVER - OCTOBER 12: Matt Stairs #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates teammate Ryan Howard #6 after Howard scored the go ahead run against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the ninth inning giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead in Game Four of the NL

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The first round of the baseball playoffs has come and gone with not too many surprises. The Yankees swept the Twins. The Phillies beat the Rockies. The Red Sox previously owned the Angels in post season but they were still coming in to the playoffs as the wild card, and the Dodgers beat the Cardinals two aces. Lets take a look at seven other things the post season has brought us so far.

1. Dexter Fowler made the greatest post season play since Derek Jeter's back handed throw to get out Jeremy Giambi at home (I still don't know why Giambi didn't slide).

DENVER - OCTOBER 12: Dexter Fowler #24 of the Colorado Rockies hurdles safely over Chase Utley #26 the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Four of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pen

Dexter Fowler some how managed to leap over Chase Utley in the eighth inning last night to avoid being tagged out while staying in the base line. It was an incredible display of athleticism, sadly nobody will remember thanks to Huston Street giving up three runs in the ninth which caused Rockies to get eliminated by the Phillies.

2. Sometimes closers are as important as starters.

DENVER - OCTOBER 12: Huston Street #16 of the Colorado Rockies sits dejected in the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Four of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Coors Field on October 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobs

The Cardinals had two Cy Young candidates and they still got swept. In part thanks to Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin giving up two runs in the ninth in game two. Rockies closer Huston street gave up three runs last night and they lost. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up three runs in two innings and they lost. Twins closer Joe Nathan gave up two runs in two innings and they lost. Meanwhile the winning teams closers pitched a combined 10 innings and gave up one run.

3. Alex Rodriguez has finally delivered.

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 11: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees claps after drawing a walk against the Minnesota Twins in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on October 11, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minn

A Rod blew up against the Twins hitting .455 with two home runs and six RBI while slugging 1.000 and having an OPS of 1.500. Without a doubt the best playoff series of his career.

4. Brad Lidge is back, sort of.

DENVER - OCTOBER 12: Pitcher Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after the final out against the Colorado Rockies in Game 4 of their National League Divisional Series at Coors Field on October 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Phillies

Phillies closer Brad Lidge had a 7.21 ERA in the regular season and was a big question mark entering the playoffs. In his series against the Rockies Lidge didn't allow a run and recorded a save, but he only pitched one inning and walked two batters so don't get too excited.

5. The Dodgers don't need Manny to win.

ST. LOUIS , MO - OCTOBER 10: : : : : Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Busch Stadium on October 10, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Manny had a very pedestrian first series batting a modest for him .308, hitting zero home runs and only driving in 2 runners. A significant drop from his past two post season series where he hit .533 and .500. The Dodgers have enough hitting and pitching that they don't have to lean on Ramirez anymore.

6. Joe Mauer is a great player on an average team.

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 11: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins shatters his bat hitting against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on October 11, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (

If this post season didn't display just how valuable Mauer is to the Twins I don't know what will. The Twins got swept by the superior Yankees, but Mauer still hit .417 and had an on base percentage of .500.

7. The first round of the postseason wasn't that good.

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 08: Kevin Youkilis #20 of the Boston Red Sox reacts at first base after Howie Kendrick #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is called safe in sixth inning of Game One of the ALDS at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim,

Sure their were close games, in the playoffs their always are. If you were to listen to the experts on ESPN (I'm talking to you Tim Kurkjian) you would think that we just watched a classic week of baseball. For starters three of the series were sweeps and the other one was wrapped up last night 3-1, no game fives and no games that had dire consequences for both teams. Secondly the umpiring wasn't very good. Kevin Youkilis got hosed on two calls and Twins catcher Joe Mauer was robbed of a sure double by a poor foul ball call by and ump.

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written on October 13, 2009 Opinion

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