MLB Playoffs: Reasons The Twins Will Finally Take Down The Yankees – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 New York Daily News |
MLB Playoffs: Reasons The Twins Will Finally Take Down The Yankees
Bleacher Report Here are the biggest reasons why the Twins could shock the defending World Champions at any point in the playoffs over the next month. … MLB Betting: Who Will Win The American League? Momentum or downtime? It might not matter Yankees or Rays? Who do you like? |
Justin Morneau Out for ALDS
September 30, 2010
by Josh Alper
Filed under: Twins, AL Central, MLB Injuries, MLB Playoffs, American League Division Series
There probably weren’t too many people expecting otherwise, but Justin Morneau made it official on Thursday: he won’t be playing for the Twins in the American League Division Series next week.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted the news on Thursday evening and added that Morneau remains hopeful that he’d be able to play if the Twins advance to the ALCS.
The first baseman hasn’t played since he caught a knee in the head from John McDonald of the Blue Jays while sliding into second base. Up until that point, Morneau was a contender for a second MVP award thanks to his 1.055 OPS, 18 home runs and .345 batting average.
The Twins stopped giving daily updates about Morneau’s condition recently to discourage speculation about his status, but he did work out with the team on Thursday.
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MLB Playoff Predictions: Buster Posey is the NL Playoff Hero – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 Bleacher Report |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Buster Posey is the NL Playoff Hero
Bleacher Report Somebody needs to step up to the occasion for San Francisco in the playoffs. Expecting a rookie to do that is asking a lot, but Posey just seems like one of … |
Time for Baseball to Get Radical, Go to 16 Teams in Postseason
September 30, 2010
by Joe Lapointe
Filed under: MLB Playoffs
Baseball attendance is down again. Interest is slipping as the playoffs approach. In the post-Steroids Era, the game needs a boost and a bump, some new kind of juice.
Ersatz pennant races — like one between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East — have little drama with nothing to gain but home-field advantage.
With at least a wild-card playoff berth clinched, the Yankees will rest regulars to play backups. The Rays are giving away tickets.
Crisis equals opportunity and baseball should take full advantage to make a change that seems radical but would merely bring the sport into step with its competition.
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MLB Playoff Predictions: Phillies vs. Giants in NLCS – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 Bleacher Report |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Phillies vs. Giants in NLCS
Bleacher Report Yeah, I just chose a team that's not a lock to make the playoffs as my pick to win the NL pennant. I sure hope I'm not wrong. MLB highlights: Lowe hurls Braves closer to playoffs MLB Betting Preview: Braves host Phillies with NL Wild Card on line MLB Betting: Atlanta Braves host Phillies |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Rangers vs. Yankees in ALCS – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 Bleacher Report |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Rangers vs. Yankees in ALCS
Bleacher Report Hamilton, a former drug addict, overcomes his demons and a late injury to send his team to the playoffs after an MVP-type performance in the American League … |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Who will win the AL East? – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 CBC.ca |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Who will win the AL East?
Bleacher Report The Yankees have made it clear that resting their players is more important than home field advantage in the playoffs, and they also face a much better … Royals Still Affecting MLB Playoffs, Beat Rays, 3-2 AL East race tightens as Rays slip in KC Rays offer light at end of Royals' tunnel |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Heroes, Winner Picks and More – Bleacher Report
September 30, 2010
 Bleacher Report |
MLB Playoff Predictions: Heroes, Winner Picks and More
Bleacher Report The 2010 MLB regular season is coming to a close, but the fun is just beginning. While the American League playoff picture is pretty much set, the National … |
The MLB Hour: Carl Pavano Joins Show
September 30, 2010
by FanHouse TV
Filed under: Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres, Rangers, Rays, Twins, Yankees, NL West, MLB Awards, MLB Playoffs, MLB Video, Executive Take, The MLB Hour
After a rough run in New York, pitcher Carl Pavano has been revitalized with the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander will be manager Ron Gardenhire’s No. 2 starter when the playoffs open next Wednesday, and he joined The MLB Hour this week to talk about the challenge that awaits in October. Click below to watch that, and so much more from FanHouse TV’s Dan Graziano, Steve Phillips and our expert panelists.
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MLB Wild Card, Playoffs Just Fine as Is
September 30, 2010
Filed under: MLB Playoffs
Baseball’s greatest strength, and occasionally one of its greatest weaknesses, is its static nature. It is wonderful, to many, that the same basic game, with the same basic equipment and rules, is played in the same basic structure it was 98 years ago when Fenway Park first opened.
And it is abhorrent, to many of those same people, that the game’s power brokers are slow, or just downright defiant, when it comes to embracing instant replay so all future Armando Galarraga-Jim Joyce situations can be avoided.
A jolt of change is likely coming to baseball’s postseason format. If you read the tea leaves, it’s not too hard to guess what might get hammered out when the next collective bargaining agreement is discussed in 2011.
Commissioner Bud Selig has dropped hints about examining playoff expansion again, the possibility of adding two wild cards — one in each league — the pet proposal of many, including Sports Illustrated‘s Tom Verducci, a man who, at least nominally, has the ear of the commissioner, and who suggested it earlier this month.
One way or another, it seems like we’re going to see more playoff games going forward. The 2011 schedule was altered significantly, moving the start of the season up to a Thursday so it will end in September. The changes ensure that the World Series will conclude in October, instead of November as it did last year and will this year. With further condensing of the playoff schedule likely, that move is also probably a precursor to going from a best-of-5 to a best-of-7 format in the Division Series.