You know how when a lab rat will eventually learn to cease touching the buzzer when time after time he gets his ass electrocuted?
That rat is my smarter, older brother.
Last year I made MLB Division Series playoff picks and went 0-for-4. I went on to a robust 0-for-7 for the entire postseason. This from the one man who wrote about baseball for Blogcritics in 2005. Smoooooth.
So naturally I should relinquish the opportunity to make more playoff predictions this year, as my track record speaks for itself, right?
Bzzt. Try again.
American League
Oakland A's (West Division) vs. Minnesota Twins (Central Division)
Head-to-head this year: Minnesota won 6, Oakland won 4
How can you say that either of these team will lose in the first round? Do you want to question virtual Cy Young lock Johan Santana anything short of two wins in this short series? On the other coast, how can you deny the improved lineup of the Oakland A's, led by bargain of the year DH Frank Thomas?
Hot tamale. This series will yield some steamy underdog-on-underdog action.
Game 1: I didn't even have to look this one up. The Twins' Santana against the Athletics' Barry Zito. Lefty vs. Lefty. Cy Young on Cy Young. Whoever wins this game will give most of the credit to the guy who hit the solo home run in this 1-0 victory.
Game 2: Now the matchup gets much more interesting. Journeyman Esteban Loaiza pitches for Oakland against Minnesota's Boof Bonser. The offense may finally unload tons of bottled-up excitement, much like a teenager after a first date in his padlocked bathroom.
Game 3: After a gutsy showing last week, Brad Radke will try to give the Twins everything he has left in his career (he's retiring after the playoffs). The A's might go with Rich Harden or Danny Haren, and a careless typo may land the other on the mound that night. The bullpens may become crucial at this point in the series, and the Twins have slightly better relief.
Census: At this point, few are doubting the Twins. Those who have watched the A's all year may be hellbent on Oakland ending their bad playoff mojo this year.
Enough Stallin'. What's my guess? One of these years the A's will break out of the first round. They will have to prove it to me, for I will not believe Moneyball will land any team beyond the LDS until I see it. Twins in 5.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
OK, here we go:
Yankees in 3
Twins in 4
Mets in 4
Padres in 5
Also, you will not get the Glavine/Maddux matchup, Dodgers are putting Kuo on the mound in game 2.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
This is troubling news indeed.
3 - Victor Lana
Suss, the Yanks (and their minions) love sticking it to the Mets, so figure they'll be around a while. Still, I'd love to see the Tigers grind their bones to make their bread (just to give Steingrubber nightmares).
4 - Donnie Marler
LaRussa has decided to go with Weaver in the second game!
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
And now Orlando Hernandez is out for Game 1. Victor, I know the name of a good headache medicine.
6 - Chris Beaumont
Well, he won't be confirmed out until re-eval in the AM. The ball will probably go to John Maine.
Welcome to the real bigs Mainey, do us proud!
7 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
You mean you guys think the Twinkies will make it to the top of the Central Division. Nu, if they win the World Series, I'll say "miracles can happen."
8 - Chris Beaumont
Well, dont worry about that, they aren't going to the WS, and if they do, they will lose.
9 - RJ Elliott
For the record, I thought the Yankees would win in 4...but I'm glad they didn't!!! :-)