
By Mike Corasaniti
The Yankees are back to their old ways as of late winning eight of 11 in sometimes grand fashion. If Grandpa Jeter (who could very well win a batting title this season at age 37) can keep leading the Bomber's offensive pop, they would be one of the toughest outs in any fantasy postseason matchup. And no Mo? No problem – so far – as closer Rafael Soriano has been solid with the team's best and only ERA under two.
The Orioles have been one of the hardest teams to watch this past week and a half, winning just two out of their last 10 games and losing Nick Markakis to the DL. But what would make today's version of the one-game playoff interesting is simply the drama of it. The O's, going on about a decade and a half away from the postseason, have been third and fourth and fifth banana in the AL East for too long for any proud franchise to enjoy. And now, ITSET, the one-game Wild Card playoff would be played at the Yards, which could mean quite a lot.
Matchup – It's been a long time coming for Baltimore and it's fans who haven't seen October baseball since the Indians bounced them in the '97 ALCS, and it's a hostile environment when the Yankees come to town. Adam Jones gives the Birds the lead early with an RBI single, but New York keeps it interesting with an A-Rod homer in the later innings. New York is hot and, quite frankly, the better team heading into the game ITSET. But it's going to take a lot to beat a Baltimore team drooling over the possibilities of the ALDS, and the Yankees abysmal batting average with runners in scoring postion comes back to haunt them when they leave two stranded in the top of the ninth to give the Birds the win. Orioles 1-0
The Yankees are back to their old ways as of late winning eight of 11 in sometimes grand fashion. If Grandpa Jeter (who could very well win a batting title this season at age 37) can keep leading the Bomber's offensive pop, they would be one of the toughest outs in any fantasy postseason matchup. And no Mo? No problem – so far – as closer Rafael Soriano has been solid with the team's best and only ERA under two.
The Orioles have been one of the hardest teams to watch this past week and a half, winning just two out of their last 10 games and losing Nick Markakis to the DL. But what would make today's version of the one-game playoff interesting is simply the drama of it. The O's, going on about a decade and a half away from the postseason, have been third and fourth and fifth banana in the AL East for too long for any proud franchise to enjoy. And now, ITSET, the one-game Wild Card playoff would be played at the Yards, which could mean quite a lot.
Matchup – It's been a long time coming for Baltimore and it's fans who haven't seen October baseball since the Indians bounced them in the '97 ALCS, and it's a hostile environment when the Yankees come to town. Adam Jones gives the Birds the lead early with an RBI single, but New York keeps it interesting with an A-Rod homer in the later innings. New York is hot and, quite frankly, the better team heading into the game ITSET. But it's going to take a lot to beat a Baltimore team drooling over the possibilities of the ALDS, and the Yankees abysmal batting average with runners in scoring postion comes back to haunt them when they leave two stranded in the top of the ninth to give the Birds the win. Orioles 1-0