Which teams should be watched when the 2009 MLB playoffs?
Whether there has been a true “Team of the Decade” in Major League Baseball will be subject to some debate in the remaining days of 2009, depending perhaps on who reaches and who wins the 105th World Series in the first week of November. But for those who have paid close attention every autumn starting with 2000, there is arguably a better candidate than any individual team. It is the decade of the Wild Card. The Red Sox and Rockies each will open this postseason in that role, and it would not be any more surprising if they should meet for the second time in three years than it would for any other World Series matchup to occur. It became commonplace in this decade for Wild Cards not only to reach the Fall Classic but also to win it, and it has removed all past conventional wisdom that teams that have the best records and win their divisions have a big advantage going in. Eight Wild Cards have reached the World Series in this decade, starting with the Mets in their 2000 Subway Series ag
The MLB playoffs 2009 schedule is completely set for the National League first round. According to MLB.com, the first game of the 2009 playoffs is Game 1 of the Rockies-Phillies series, on Wednesday at 2:37 p.m. est. The defending world champions begin the 2009 MLB playoffs with much uncertainty, while the Rockies look to repeat their miracle 2007 run – which also began at Philadelphia. On Wednesday night, the Dodgers try to recover from a poor September against the dangerous Cardinals. The Dodgers have the NL’s top seed, but are limping in, whereas the Cardinals come in with Albert Pujois, Matt Holiday and a feared starting rotation. In both National League Division Series, Games 1 and 2 are on Wednesday and Thursday, with Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday, and a possible Game 5 next Tuesday. But the MLB playoffs 2009 schedule isn’t set for the American League – and not just because there’s still one slot open. The Tigers and Twins face o
Whether there has been a true “Team of the Decade” in Major League Baseball will be subject to some debate in the remaining days of 2009, depending perhaps on who reaches and who wins the 105th World Series in the first week of November. But for those who have paid close attention every autumn starting with 2000, there is arguably a better candidate than any individual team. It is the decade of the Wild Card. The Red Sox and Rockies each will open this postseason in that role, and it would not be any more surprising if they should meet for the second time in three years than it would for any other World Series matchup to occur. It became commonplace in this decade for Wild Cards not only to reach the Fall Classic but also to win it, and it has removed all past conventional wisdom that teams that have the best records and win their divisions have a big advantage going in. Sources:
