After 162 games over the span of six months, the 2012 Major League Baseball Playoffs are finally upon us. While there are a couple of surprising faces in this year's playoffs, as always, there are some familiar faces. But in the end it doesn't matter, since all are competing for the title of World Champion.
In the American League you have the favorites, Eastern Champions, the New York Yankees. The Yankees had to struggle until the final day of the season with the surprise Baltimore Orioles, who until near the end had a negative run differential. The Orioles sort of have the Yankees number this season, and if they were to meet during the second round of the Playoffs, would surely hold the advantage by not having the first two games at home, but hold a winning record at the Yankees this season. More than likely that won't happen, since the Orioles face the Texas Rangers in the AL wild card game.
The Rangers hold the advantage over the Orioles this season, winning five of seven as well as 2 of 3 at Texas. The Rangers have been slumping of late however, losing 7 of their last 10, including five of their last six against Oakland, who passed them on the final day of the season for the AL West title. The Rangers have gone to the World Series the past two seasons, so they have experience on their side as well. But many want the upstart teams to be the ones to succeed this year.
The Athletics are the definition of upstarts. Picked by no one and viewed by less, Oakland came out of nowhere in the second half to play Detroit in the second round of the Playoffs. The A's are an unknown, but face a team that everyone thought would be there are the beginning. While momentum can be decidedly on Oakland's side, the talent is clearly with Detroit. In the Playoffs, defensive trumps offense. This is where this series will be decided, and where Detroit, Texas and New York can claim victory in.
Prediction
Wild Card Game: Texas over Baltimore
Second Round: Detroit over Oakland, Texas over New York
Divisional: New York over Detroit
Come back tomorrow morning, the day of both Wild Card Games, as I detail the National League Playoff Picture.
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