2012 MLB Season: If the Season Ended Today...

This will be the first installment of "If the Season Ended Today." Each week I will update the postseason match ups if the season was ending.  Obviously it's way too early and as the season progresses you will see less and less movement between the pairings.  However, it is always fun to track for the teams that aren't expected to do very much, at least their fanbase can think, "If only the season ended then..."

National League Wild Card: New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks currently have the second best record in the National League, but their NL West rivals, the Dodgers carry the best. So Arizona (5-1, .833) would take on the surprising New York Mets (4-2, .667) in Arizona for a one-game playoff.  Ian Kennedy vs. Johan Santana anyone?? The winner would then take on the Dodgers in a five-game series.

National League NLDS: Washington Nationals vs St Louis Cardinals

The Washington Nationals would make the postseason for the first time since the Expos moved to Washington DC.  The defending World Champion Cardinals without Albert Pujols would have to take care of Steven Strasburg and company in order to make it back to the World Series. The Nats (5-2, .714) and Cards (5-2, .714) currently hold the same record and haven't met face to face, so it's way too early to determine who would have home field advantage.

National League NLDS: NY Mets/Arizona Diamondback Winner vs Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers would take the No. 1 seed as they currently hold a .857 winning percentage.  They would await the winner of the Mets and Diamondbacks and would have the home field advantage.  However, the home field advantage for 2012 is different. Games 1 & 2 would be played at the lower seed with Games 3, 4 & 5 in Los Angeles.

American League Wild Card: Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

Who needs Ozzie Guillen and his circus??  Robin Ventura would take his bunch to Tampa Bay to face the Rays in a one game playoff.  The Rays are always a difficult team to beat in Tampa, so the White Sox would have their hands full.  No matter what the pitching matchup would be, Tampa would hold the advantage to move on.

American League ALDS: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers march for a third consecutive pennant would start with a home-field advantage series against Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Blue Jays (and Rays) would have shocked every one by keeping the Yankees and Red Sox out of the playoffs, while the Rangers still have a franchise first World Championship to tackle.

American League ALDS: Chisox/Tampa Bay vs Detroit Tigers

The road to the 2012 World Series would got through motor city.  The Tigers currently have the best record in the American League and would probably hope the White Sox would take down the Rays for Detroit. They  would have to go on the road and play Games 1 and 2 at Tampa.