Start Spreading The News -- Playoff Baseball in the Bronx

View of the Stadium prior to first pitch. (SS Photo) 

What a night at Yankee Stadium last night. Amazing time being at Indians/Yankees ALDS Game 4. It was the first time I had been to a playoff baseball game and one the best atmospheres I had ever been at for any game.

Before the game even started, "my night was made" as I said to my dad. That was because Mariano Rivera, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Mariano Rivera after throwing out the first pitch (SS Photo) 

Despite light rain, the game began on time (thankfully, because we know how long Yankees playoff games have gone; 4 hours and 7 minutes) and the crowd was loud on every pitch. In the area my dad and I were sitting in, every time Luis Severino (or any Yankees pitcher) got two strikes, the section stood up and cheered.

Another fun thing that some guys behind us in our section started and the rest of the section joined in on, was yelling the number of outs in an inning when the Yankees were on defense and sometimes also making comments about how the defense should be playing. It's like in high school and youth baseball when you are taught to yell "Two outs, plays to first," for example.

In terms of the game itself, it was nice to see the Yankees get an early 5-0 lead. Personally, I was happy to see Todd Frazier (Jersey guy) get a big double to get the Yankees on the board. Also, props to Frazier for having Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon" as his walk-up song. Aaron Judge didn't hit a home run, but he hit a two-run double to open up the game in the four run second. Gary Sanchez, did homer however, as he capped the Yankees scoring in the sixth with an opposite field shot to the short porch.

Girardi got destroyed for the decisions or non-decisions he made in game two. Last night I thought he made some great decisions. He let Severino pitch deep and work out of trouble. Even when the Indians cut the Yankees lead to 5-3 in the fifth inning, Girardi trusted Severino enough to allow him to stay in, which I think was the correct decision. In total, Severino threw 113 pitches over seven innings. Then Girardi brought Dellin Betances in for the eighth with a four run lead. After Betances walked the first two batters, Girardi brought Tommy Kahnle in. I was a bit surprised that Kahnle was in with the Yankees season on the line but with a four run lead and certain pitchers supposedly not available, it made sense. Kahnle got two strikeouts and a fly out sandwiched in between. Then with the Yankees still holding a four run lead, Girardi sent Kahnle back out, with action in the bullpen, and Kahnle was able to strike out the side to end it.

If there was any doubt after game two that the Yankees would not re-sign Girardi, I think the last two games fixed that. Now if Girardi wants to leave, to either take another managerial job, work in broadcasting, or something else, we will see.

The Final Out (And then you hear from me)

The Yankee Stadium Sign (SS Photo) 

Nice view from our seats (SS Photo)

MLB Postseason Predictions

The Major League Baseball postseason is getting underway. The American League Wild Card game is Tuesday and the National League Wild Card Game is Wednesday.

In the AL WC game the New York Yankees take on the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees have handled the Twins in the past in the postseason and I'll say the Yankees win and advance to the American League Division Series.  The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in the Majors and if the offense can get going against Ervin Santana, in can be a fun night in the Bronx.

In the NL WC game, it's the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies narrowly got in, clinching a spot in the second to last day of the season. Arizona has the better pitching and with the game being in Arizona vs Colorado, the Rockies offense doesn't have the advantage of playing in Coors Field.

In the one American League Division Series, the Houston Astros take on the Boston Red Sox. Both teams are young. The Astros probably have the better starting pitching, and the Red Sox the better bullpen. The bullpen strength makes me give Boston the advantage to go to the American League Championship Series.

In the other American League Division Series, the Cleveland Indians take on the wild card winner, which I have being the Yankees. I would love to see the Yankees and Red Sox face off in the ALCS but the Indians are more of a complete team, in my opinion. That being said, I have the Indians advancing to take on the Red Sox in the ALCS.

In the ALCS, I think the Indians defeat the Red Sox in seven games. As I said, I think the Indians are the most complete team.

Now to the National League.

In the one National League Division Series, the Washington Nationals take on the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are definitely not as strong as they were last season. The Nationals have been pretty good but have not been able to make a run in the postseason in years past. I'll say the Cubs get past Nationals in four games.

In the second National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the wild card winner, so in my predictions, they will face the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers were having a historic season and then hit a rough stretch but seemed to play better at the end of the season. I think the Dodgers will get past the Diamondbacks in four games.

In the NLCS, the Dodgers will defeat the Cubs in six games.

That will set up a Indians-Dodgers World Series. In the regular season when they matched up, the Dodgers took two of three. This would be a great pitching series and I think the Indians have a deeper bullpen so I would give them the advantage.

My World Series Prediction: Indians over the Dodgers in six games.

Let me know your thoughts on the MLB Postseason in the comments section.