Down and dirty behind the baseball playoffs

Do the 1998 World Champion New York Yankees (98-64) have any weaknesses that will come back to haunt them in a five- or seven-game postseason series? Perhaps, but even if their regular season did not live up to the unreasonable expectations of some New York fans, the Bronx Bombers should ride their talent and experience back to the World Series. Their pitching staff, anchored by the unlikely duo of Orlando Hernandez (17-9) and Andy Pettitte (14-11), has been strong throughout much of the season, as has their closer, Mariano Rivera (45 saves, 1.83 ERA). Although their starting lineup is not as strong from top to bottom as Cleveland's, a quick glimpse at their roster will assuage even the most insecure fan's fear that the Bombers will suffer a postseason offensive lapse. There are, after all, several reasons why this team came within two games of reaching the 100-win plateau for a second consecutive season. They are solid at all positions, spectacular at some. They have power (Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez), consistency (Derek Jeter) and speed on the basepaths (Chuck Knoblauch, Jeter). Their organization, even with the meddlesome habits of owner George Steinbrenner, is impeccable. And their team chemistry is undeniable. At this point, overconfidence might be a concern to the Bronx faithful, but manager Joe Torre will condition his team, both mentally and physically, to bring their winning ways back to the October Classic.

The team that set all those records last year is pretty much intact, but something's missing. Last year, there was this sleek machine made up of almost superstars that was so balanced, so together, so everything. They couldn't help but win. This year, and maybe it's just our lingering irritation that David Wells no longer wears pinstripes, they don't quite seem to have it. That's not to say they can't win it all - heck, just look at 'em - but some upstart team with a bit more fire, a bit more scrap, just might be able to pull the rug out from under them, even before the Series.

Who would have thought that the Boston Red Sox (94-68) would have made it this far? After power hitting first baseman Mo Vaughn bolted for Anaheim during the offseason, few suspected that the Sox could replace his bat in an already thin lineup - even with the acquisition of Jose Offerman. Things took a dramatic turn for the worse when ace closer Tom Gordon went down early in the season with a serious right elbow strain. But Boston pulled through, reaching the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the 1915-1916 seasons. While their success during the 1999 campaign can be largely attributed to the heroics of Pedro Martinez (23-4, 2.07 ERA) and Nomar Garciaparra (27 home runs, 104 RBIs), the Sox boast a roster filled with veteran talent (Rod Beck, Troy O'Leary) and promising youngsters (Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe). On paper, they might not be able to compete with the star-studded Yankees and Indians - especially without an experienced slugger like Vaughn in the lineup against the game's best pitchers. But don't count the Red Sox out. Throughout the regular season, they have amassed the best record in the American League against New York and Cleveland, consistently winning the crucial games on their schedule with tough pitching and timely, albeit inconsistent, hitting. Their chances of reaching the promised land are slim, but anything can happen in the playoffs.

We're nihilists-we can't bring ourselves to believe in anything involving Boston's playoff hopes, even if they struggle their way out of Cleveland on a wing, a prayer and the hopefully healed back of Pedro. Saturday could be the third strike for the Sox, and regardless, Fenway won't be hosting a Series this year. We've had our eye on this crew for a few years, and if they could find someone with a little power and consistency to replace Valentin, and maybe find a fourth starter (or fifth if you assume Saberhagen stays and Wakefield starts more often than relieves), they could be pretty shweet.

Every year, the Cleveland Indians (97-65) end their season with a comfortable lead over their Central Division rivals, most of whom function as farm clubs for high-revenue teams in New York, Baltimore and Cleveland. Why? Because the Tribe boasts an offense that can overpower any in the majors. So every year, Tribe fans declare that their team will trounce their postseason opponents en route to a World Series championship. So how come it's never happened? The answer is simple: pitching. With a starting rotation that features only one reliable arm (Bartolo Colon) and plenty of inconsistency (Jaret Wright, Charles Nagy), the Indians are weak at the most important position in the game. Who is going to beat David Cone or Pedro Martinez? Dave Burba? Not likely. The vaunted Cleveland offense that features MVP candidates like Manny Ramirez (44 home runs, 165 RBIs) and Roberto Alomar (24 homers, 120 RBIs) should help put plenty of runs on the board in October, but big games are won on the mound. And with a paltry team ERA of 4.91, the Tribe simply does not have the pitching to compete with the Yankees, the Braves or the Astros.

Still, you gotta love Jacobs Field, right? What an architectural masterpiece. Anyway, the Indians of the past two years aren't the same ones with that roster that made you drool. The offense is still potent, but even Manny Ramirez isn't really pulling in the headlines anymore. Moreover, this team is killed by its own success each year-they never face a real challenge in the AL central, so they never really have that edge, that chutzpah. What this squad needs is a good pennant chase, and then maybe we'll see some post-season shine that transfers onto a World Series trophy.

The Texas Rangers (95-67) return to the playoffs for the third time in the last four years, having held off the surging Oakland Athletics during the second half of the regular season. With a lineup featuring Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro, their offensive capabilities cannot be questioned. Meanwhile, the Rangers boast one of the most effective bullpens in the American League, led by former World Series MVP John Wetteland (43 saves) and rookie sensation Jeff Zimmerman (9-3, 2.36 ERA). Their starting rotation features two pitchers - Aaron Sele and Rick Helling - who combined to win 31 games during the regular season. But can Texas, with a team ERA of 5.07 and no consistent starting pitching after Sele and Helling, really compete with the Yankees, the Indians and the Sox? Their bullpen is strong enough to stop the bleeding, but the Rangers can hardly afford to head into a crucial postseason game against New York, Cleveland or even Boston with starters like Mike Morgan (6.24 ERA) and John Burkett (5.62 ERA). Look for them to bow out in the first round Divisional Series.

No... just... no. Sorry to all you Texas fans, but New York isn't falling to the Rangers now, and probably not for a while. Pitching is definitely the crux of the matter, but they also suffer from a similar situation as the Indians - no real competition in their division. Oakland started to give them a run and Seattle has offense (if only they had some starting pitching.... and some relief, and a closer)... the point being that Texas won't have that edge until they are forced to fight for the division. That'll happen sooner for them than it will for Cleveland.

After losing seven in a row and a four game lead in the Wild Card, the New York Mets (97-66) swept the Pittsburgh Pirates and beat the Cinncinati Reds in a one-game playoff tiebreaker. The Metropolitans reach their first postseason since1988 fueled by a surprisingly potent offense ignited by Mike Piazza (.305 avg., 40 hr, 124 RBIs) and complemented nicely by Robin Ventura (.301, 32 and 120) and fireplug Edgardo Alfonzo (.304, 27 and 108). Their starting rotation has been inconsistent throughout the year, relying on default-ace Al Leiter to win big games. The bullpen is one of the deepest (and overworked) and reliable in the majors. The lefty-righty combination of junkball artist John Franco and flamethrower Armando Benitez pose a lethal threat to any lineup. In addition, the Mets' infield is something to drool about-a major league record for fewest team errors in a season, plus that escapee from a circus Rey Ordonez.

They seem to have all the stuff you need to win - relief pitching, defense, power and a clubhouse theme song... but don't get too cocky, kids - you have to make it out of Phoenix first. At this point, it seems that even the enigmatic and foolish manager Bobby Valentine could not hinder their destiny. Our biggest worry - heart attacks and arthritis, what with Rickey, Johnny and Orel on the squad.

After losing Moises Alou in spring training, the Houston Astros (97-65) knew they'd have to fight adversity. But mid-season injuries to oft-ailing Ken Caminiti and star prospect Richard Hidalgo seemed to cripple the club. Perhaps only the Atlanta Braves fought through to the end with a more dilapidated roster. All MVP candidate Jeff Bagwell did was hit 42 dingers with 126 RBIs and score 143 runs. Oh, and he also drew a league-leading 149 walks and came in second in the league with a whopping .454 on-base-percentage. With a career year from Carl Everett, the Astros find themselves division champs for the third straight year under Larry Dierker. Cy Young candidate Mike Hampton leads the best (that's right, Southern Delta Dwellers) staff in the majors with a 22-4 record and a 2.95 ERA. Jose Lima, Shane Reynolds and phenom Scott Elarton hope to carry this bunch to the NLCS for the first time since 1986.

We swear, if Bagwell's hand gets broken ever again, it will be indisputable proof that Satan is trying to end his career. But right now, things look good for the Astros after they took one at Turner and are facing a rapidly rusting Braves crew. Even so, they are headed back to the Astrodome, a building that stole a homerun from Mike Schmidt and stole the hopes of Houston fans for the past three years. Ah well, Cincy was a one shot deal, so even if the Astros lose now, the NL central is theirs for years to come.

When the Atlanta Braves (103-59) signed Brian Jordan, they figured to have one of the most potent lineups in the league. But cancer befell Andres Galarraga, catcher Javy Lopez went down early in the season and closer Kerry Lightenberg was lost as well. Who was left to pick up the pieces? Ryan Klesko? A 'veteran' Andruw Jones of 22 years of age? No, it's been all-world third basemen Chipper Jones who caught fire in the second half and single-handedly vanquished the division hopes of the Mets. Jones, who capped a career year with 45 dongs, 110 ribbies, 116 runs and an OBP of .441, carried the Braves to the best record in baseball. Oh right, something about that vaunted pitching staff: Well, it was the young Kevin Millwood who was the Cy Young candidate this year, winning 19 games with an ERA under three. The professor, Greg Maddux, had an 'off' year with a 3.56 ERA, but he still won 18 games. John Smoltz and Tom Glavine were up and down, but look for them to excel in what has become all-too-familiar territory for this band of aces.

Okay, if the Braves make it to the series this year, which is becoming a bigger "if" with each creak of Maddux and Smoltz's arms, we can't see them taking it. At this point, we're starting to have trouble seeing them take out Houston. Our gripe: the infield - half are Gold Glovers, the other half are only so-so, and if you count the catcher, two out of five positions are platooned. The Braves were the team of the 90s, but the 90s are almost done, and so are they.

Billionaire owner Jerry Colangelo decided that he wanted his team in the playoffs; so he opened his wallet and VOILA! the Arizona Diamondbacks (100-62) are suddenly division champs after losing 96 games last year. Oldie but goldie Matt Williams drove in 142 runs and Luis (who are you?) Gonzalez hit .336 to lead the charge. Suddenly pumped middle infielder Jay Bell hit 38 round-trippers (do I smell a juiced ball?) to cap a career year. Randy "Large Member" Johnson leads an overachieving staff of up-and-comers (Omar Daal) and once-arounds (Todd Stottlemyre, Andy Benes). This team will need more than monstrous payroll to win playoff games. Their bullpen is suspect, with thin relievers paving the way for fire-baller Matt Mantei.

If the Mets implode and the 'Backs make it out of the first round, that'll be it. Everyone picked them for the wildcard and, if Barry Bonds didn't break himself repeatedly and the Dodgers didn't spend so much for so little, they would be.