MLB Playoffs: Can They Live Up To The Hype?

So far, 2008 has been an exceptional year for sports. From the college football championships through the Olympics, this year has given sports fans plenty to watch and talk about.

The only problem that arises from having so many good sporting events is the let-down that can come afterwards. The MLB playoffs could be good and seem disappointing after the richness of sporting championships that we have encountered this year.

We have been spoiled from the start of 2008. Beginning in January with the BCS Championship Game, we saw two former BCS Champs clash for the first time in the history of the event.

Not long afterwards we witnessed the Giants defy every expectations to not only reach the Super Bowl but knock off the undefeated New England Patriots.

Football was not the only sport that gave us our thrills this year. College basketball pulled us in, once again, to see all four top seeds meet in the finals. In true March Madness fashion, the lowest of the four seeds, the Kansas Jayhawks, took it all the way to win the championship and cut down the nets.

For those who watched the U.S. Open Championship saw one of the most amazing golf championships that has ever been played. Rocco Mediate, the 45 year old journeyman who just made the playing field, pushed Tiger Woods to the edge, only to be defeated in sudden-death after an eighteen-hole playoff.

The day after the U.S. Open reached its thrilling climax the NBA Finals ended after game six of a thrilling series featuring one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the game as the Celtics defeated the Lakers four games to two.

One short week later the All-England Club kicked in to full gear for the Wimbledon championships. No disappointment was allowed during this tournament either, as Rafael Nadal knocked off reigning grass-king Roger Federer to claim the hardware and eventually the number one overall ranking in the world.

On the ladies side sisters Venus and Serena Williams squared off once again, Venus being the victor taking her fifth title and first over her sister at Wimbledon.

After a small lull in the sporting action, or perhaps a breather, the Olympics kicked in to high-gear on August 8th. A record 87 countries took home medals at the summer Olympiad, including 110 from U.S. athletes. The real story was the man in the pool, Michael Phelps, who broke Mark Spitz's record for gold medals in a single Olympic year with 8, as well as setting 7 world records.

Usain Bolt also electrified, winning gold in all of his events and earning the new "world's fastest man" title by setting records in the 100 and 200 meters. Likewise, the U.S. men's basketball team showed the world exactly how good they could be, by redeeming the gold medal that they felt belonged to them.

The real question now, is what comes next?

In a year of sporting triumph, how does Major League Baseball follow suit?

Well, it's not impossible. This year, for the first time since 1995 we will see a postseason devoid of Yankee pinstripes. The Tampa Bay Rays stand a very good chance of making the playoffs, and, knock-on-wood with me after I say it, the Cubs look like they could make a serious post-season run.

What is better for sport than parity? I would argue nothing, some people would disagree. However, I am not going to miss the Yankees influence one bit this October. To see the Rays finally competing for something meaningful will surely be nice for fans of any team.

The real story that could make these playoffs stand up to the watermark established is if those lovable losers could make it to the World Series.

Cubs fans are spread out across the country more than any other sports team, and from coast to coast there are fans bleeding Cubbie blue pulling their hair out and praying for the Cubs to end this drought.

One hundred years is a long time, folks. A World Series trophy on the North Side would be like bringing rain to the Sahara, and dammit, it looks like Sweet Lou may just be able to deliver this season.

Now everyone knock on wood and pray, we don't want to be the billy goat this year.