Oh Shit

The Detroit Tigers are lucky they got that playoff spot sewn up before they played the terrifying Kansas City Royals (62-100 final record). Today, the Tigers, despite holding a 10-game lead on average throughout the entire season, coughed up the AL Central division title to the ferocious upstarts, the Twins.

This is bad. This means that the A's will now face the Twins in the first round of the playoffs. This also means that if the series goes 5 games, they draw Johan Santana twice, both times in the Metrodome, where he is absolutely unbeatable (hasn't lost a start there since August 2005). Plus, the Twins are storming into the postseason aboard a wave of serious momentum and already have perpetual A's-killers Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau, plus AL Batting Champion Joe Mauer. Basically, the Twins are very, very scary in a 5-game series. Ulp.

I'd be lying if I said that my hopes just took a dip. There is, of course, a silver lining: the Twins hit .204 off Game 1 (and 5, if necessary) starter, Barry Zito. (Of course, the A's hit .186 off Santana, with the exception of Frank Thomas, who carries a .375 clip). And the Twins scored 4 runs in 4 games in Oakland, so if we can somehow steal one in the Metrodome and then seal the deal on our home turf...

I'm scared.

Screw the Tigers. I hope the Yankees take them out.... no wait, I don't. I hate the Yankees even more, and if Alex Rodriguez gets a World Series ring, I'm committing hara-kiri.

The Cards will face either the Padres or the Dodgers in the NLDS. They handled the Padres pretty easily last year, and they swept the Dodgers in the season series, 7-0, which could be good or bad. Good: They can handle them. Bad: The Dodgers would likely have a chip on their shoulder because of this.

I just am not good with pressure. But bring on Tuesday, nonetheless...