Post-Season Baseball at Last: Who, What, Why, and How's To October Baseball

October is upon as at last and with it comes baseball at its finest. This year the intriguing possibilities seem endless.

The Chicago Cubs could end their century long Billy Goat Curse.

The team from the south side of Chicago has made a strong charge and is looking like the team from 2005.

Apparently all they needed was a name change as the Tampa Bay Rays not only won more than 70 games for the first time in franchise history, but has brought playoff baseball down to the Sunshine State for the first time in AL history.

The Manny-less Red Sox made it in but how far can they go without the Manny-Ortiz duo?

Manny's new team is creating a stir out in Hollywood while the California, uh Anaheim, I mean LA Angels were the cream of the crop the entire regular season.

Well, now that we got most of the who's, let's look at the first-round match-ups.

BOSTON v LOS ANGELES

Both teams have had significant post-season success recently as the BoSox are the defending World Series champs while the Angels last championship came in 2002. The Halos have depth throughout that line-up and manager Mike Sciocsia always seems able to find a way to get it done in October. Staff ace John Lackey will start Game 1 and will be followed by All-Stars Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders. Their bullpen, led by record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez, continues to be a strength just as it has been in the past. 

Boston, even without Manny, has firepower in its offense once again. Minute second baseman Dustin Pedroia along with 1B Kevin Youkilis, Big Papi David Ortiz, and Jason Bay have put up big numbers all season long, with exception to Bay who only played the second half in Boston. Young southpaw Jon Lester gets the nod in Game 1 and will team up with Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett to match up well with Sciocsia's top three. It comes down to the bullpen where the Angels get the advantage.

Winner: LA in 5

CHICAGO v TAMPA BAY

Chicago somehow found a way into the playoffs but it wasn't easy. They will try to become this season's Colorado and storm through the ALDS and ALCS. Unfortunately, it won't be so easy with the Rays standing in their way. Without leading hitter Carlos Quentin, the White Sox will need strong showings from veterans Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, and Jermaine Dye to have success. Their rotation compares to the Angels with Mark Beuhrle, Jon Danks, and Gavin Floyd. Just like today's game against the Twins, it will need to be pitching and power if the ChiSox want to be around long. 

The Rays have no playoff experience, a far cry from the grizzled vets playing for Chicago. But what they lack in experience they make up in pure talent. Despite having the fourth youngest team in post-season history, pitching talents Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Matt Garza all have had tremendous seasons. Their bullpen is their one aged area with vets Troy Percival, Chad Bradford, and lefty Trever Miller. They have rookie Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena driving in runs and are getting help at the right time with the return of outfielder Carl Crawford.

Winner: Tampa Bay in 3

LOS ANGELES v CHICAGO

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