It's the First Day of Fall and Time To Play Ball

Is This the Season For a "Subway Series?"

After a long summer of doing pretty much nothing, I couldn't have been more excited to get back to school and get back into the swing of things. Yeah, the swing of things. It's almost October, and it's time to get hyped up for some serious baseball action.

If you follow baseball you know that it has been an extraordinary season for the sport, whether it be Todd Helton pacing the .400 mark for the better part of the year or the Chicago White Sox' breakthrough season. Perhaps nothing is as exciting as the races that are going to take place for the two Wild Card spots and League Pennants. This could be, just maybe, the year that the New York Yankees don't win the World Series. As a native of Cleveland, I wouldn't be so malcontented if they lost. But anyway, let's get to the races.

American League

Very few people would have predicted the Chicago White Sox to have the kind of season that they are, especially Cleveland fans. After dominating the A.L. Central since moving into Jacobs Field, the Indians are faced with the possibility of not making the playoffs for the first time in years. This will add a lot of electricity to the pennant race in the American League, as the competition for the Wild Card spot is extremely tight.

Most teams have about ten games remaining, and the race for the Wild Card between Cleveland, Toronto, Boston and Oakland is going to go right down to the wire.

Oakland only trails Seattle by three games, though, and there is an outside chance that they could still win the A.L. West. They have been extremely hot as of late, winning eight of their last ten games, and it couldn't be a better time of year for them to be kicking it into full gear. The Athletics have been led this season by first-baseman Jason Giambi, who leads the team in batting average (.337), home runs (38), and runs batted in (126). Giambi will be a big contender for the Most Valuable Player award for the American League if Oakland manages to pull out a playoff position.

If Oakland were to finish in a tie with Seattle for the division, they would have a one game playoff and Oakland would have the home field advantage. If the A's finish in a tie for the Wild Card, they would have home field advantage against the Indians and the Red Sox, but not against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Indians are looking as strong as they have all season, and they just took five out of eight games from the White Sox and the Yankees. With strong recent starts from Bartolo Colon, Chuck Finley, and Steve Woodard, their pitching is looking a lot better. Leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton has really come on in the latter part of the season, as has Manny Ramirez, and the Indians offense is once again looking like a force to be reckoned with.

Cleveland beat Roger Clemens (Yankees) and Pedro Martinez (Red Sox) this week, and are beginning to show their potential.

Getting recently plundered by the Indians, Boston's hopes of making the playoffs seem to be extremely slim, and Toronto has passed them in the standings in the A.L. East. Led by Carlos Delgado, who is having an awesome year, batting .353 with 40 home runs, 133 runs batted in and 111 runs scored, the Blue Jays could be Oakland and Cleveland's biggest opponent for the Wild Card.

I look for Cleveland to pull out with the Wild Card spot by the skin of their teeth, and don't look for Oakland to catch Seattle, who has won nine of their last ten games. The Yankees and White Sox already have their spots locked, but Frank Thomas and his team don't have the post-season experience that the Indians and Yanks do.

The Indians versus the Yankees would be a hell of a series. No one has beaten the Yankees in the playoffs since the Indians won the American League Pennant against them in 1997. I am sick of seeing the Yankees win, though, and wouldn't mind seeing them going down. (I do have mad love for the Mets though)

The other match-up will likely be the Seattle Mariners against the Chicago White Sox. This will be a battle of two teams who haven't had recent post-season history or success. This series would feature some big names, including Edgar Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Ray Durham and Thomas, all of whom are having big years.

National League

The Big Mac is in action, Barry Bonds is back, Mike Piazza is hot as always and the National League will once again have an exciting race for the pennant.

The most surprising team to me this season has been the St. Louis Cardinals, who despite the loss of Mark McGwire for a few months, have played outstanding baseball and have a 11.5 game lead over the Cincinnati Reds, the underachievers of Ohio. The addition of Will Clark at first base was pivotal, and great play from Jim Edmonds (40 home runs, 101 runs batted in, 122 runs scored) will make the Cardinals a hard to team to knock out. Added help from Fernando Vina (hitting .302) and Edgar Renteria, even if his name does sound like a disease, have helped solidify their team.

The Atlanta Braves, who are synonymous with consistency, once again are led by Chipper and Andruw Jones. Their pitching staff is phenomenal, with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux setting the tone. Speedy rookie Rafael Furcal is a top contender for the Rookie of the Year Award. He is the hardest hitter in the Major League to double up (only twice all year) and has 37 stolen bases on the year as well.

A match-up between the Braves and the Mets is almost certain, and it will be a true test for Piazza and the Mets to overcome the perennial powerhouse of Atlanta.

The Giants have risen to the occasion in their new stadium, mostly due to the play of veterans Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds. Kent and Bonds lead the team in every major offensive category, and both are having MVP seasons. Reliever Rob Nen (39 saves) is also a big reason the Giants have had so much success this year.

So is a "subway series" looming in our future? I have to admit that it would be pretty unique and would be great for baseball. Unfortunately, it would be almost too good for New York.

Screw it; I'm predicting a rematch of the 1995 World Series, Atlanta versus Cleveland. Even if it isn't even October yet, I've been waiting all damn year and it's time to get this show on the road.