Keyboard Quarterbacks

By Mark La Monica

Let's jump every gun, even the unregistered ones, with this idea: the New York Jets could make the playoffs this season!

(Turn on Jim Mora voice.)

Playoffs?

(Turn off Jim Mora voice.)

Playoffs!

Yes, I realize a) there are nine games left; b) they share a division with those pesky New England Patriots; and c) these are the New York Jets.

But there exists the possibility that the Jets could make the playoffs this season. A 4-3 record through seven games is better than any reasonable Jets fan could have expected at the start of the season. Not with the health of Chad Pennington in question and the anticipated zero yards from Curtis Martin because of a knee injury.

Pennington has answered more than satisfactorily any questions about his twice-repaired throwing shoulder. Pennington's 91.3 passer rating ranks ninth in the NFL, ahead of Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Jake Delhomme, Matt Hasselbeck and Michael Vick, among others.

Slowly, the running game is developing as the rebuilt offensive line remembers how to run block. Rookie halfback Leon Washington is emerging as a legit rusher. And Kevan Barlow, acquired shortly before the regular season began, is tied for third with five rushing touchdowns.

Jerricho Cotchery has emerged as a go-to receiver, forcing defenses to cover both sides of the field. He and Laveranues Coles (42) have totaled 72 receptions this season, the third highest total for a receiving duo in the league. Carolina's Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson and Detroit's Roy Williams and Mike Furrey each have totaled 75 receptions for their respective teams.

There are plenty of holes in this team, such as the third-worst 372.3 yards allowed per game and the lack of a real pass rush from the defensive line. Kicker Mike Nugent is shakier than James Bond's martini. We know this. No one is crowning Eric Mangini as the next Lombardi, Parcells, Walsh or Belichick. But he's quickly proven that he's not the next Kotite, Coslet, Tice or Haslett.

Take a quick look the Jets' remaining schedule:

Week 8 - at Cleveland
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - at New England
Week 11 - Chicago
Week 12 - Houston
Week 13 - at Green Bay
Week 14 - Buffalo
Week 15 - at Minnesota
Week 16 - at Miami
Week 17 - Oakland

If you play by the "should win" theory, there are two definite losses for the Jets -- 5-1 New England and 6-0 Chicago -- and a quite possible loss at 4-2 Minnesota. The other games, under this theory, would be wins. The combined record of those other six teams is 9-29.

So, we're talking 10-6 at best, 9-7 at worst.

A 10-6 season could earn the Jets a wild card. A 9-7 record likely won't be good enough. Not in the AFC.

Regardless of the "championship or else" cliche that everyone repeats every time, either record would please a Jets fan, player, coach or anyone else invested in this franchise.

It may be a longshot. OK, it IS a longshot. But what else would we expect from the Jets? This is a team that never makes winning easy.

However, we're heading into Week 8 and Jets fans can actually start considering thinking about what a football game in January would be like. They can start mapping out the schedules of other teams in the league and figuring out who to root for each week.

And that's something Jets fans can be proud of, because these are still your Jets and you know what sort of heartwrenching misery that entails.

By Mark La Monica

In the interest of full disclosure, we begin by stating that I am a Yankees fan.

But before you spit at the picture of me in the top right corner of this blog's main page, let me state that I am not here to bash the Mets. Not in the least. They had a terrific season.

And I know what it's like to watch your favorite team lose a Game 7 in the playoffs. Does the 2004 ALCS ring any bells, aside from Javier Vazquez's?

Rather, I'm curious to know how Mets fans feel today. Was being so close to the World Series utterly heartbreaking? Or, can you take some comfort in the fact that the Mets had a much better season than anyone expected?

As a Yankees fan, I'm rather immune to the postseason these days, and to early postseason exits. Secretly, I hope the Yankees miss the playoffs one of these years so it can restore the excitement of the playoff race and maybe clear out a little room on the bandwagon for those true fans.

There is little consoling on this day for Mets fans. At least not yet. I realize that. Especially since the game was lost in the ninth inning. By the second inning of Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, every Yankee fan knew the season was over, so there was seven more innings to soothe the pain.

As that pain wears off for Mets fans this weekend -- or will it last longer? -- how will they look at this season? Successful? Another year without a World Series? Complete failure?

Use the comments link below and let us know what's going in your mind. (Please, no cursing. And no pro-Yankee propaganda. At least not for this blog post.)

By Mike Casey

I didn't think you could get called out on strikes with your team down to its final strike of the season, but Carlos Beltran just gave us a pretty good example.

Ahhhh.... It was a good year for the Mets, but in the end, the stars just didn't align.

A healthy Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez wouldn't have gotten the Mets the big hits they needed to win Game 7. But one thing is for sure -- a healthy Pedro Martinez wouldn't have blown 3-0 and 4-2 leads in Game 2. And a healthy Orlando Hernandez wouldn't have melted down in Game 3 the way Steve Trachsel did.

Trachsel has pitched his last inning for the Mets, I'm happy to say. It's also probably the last game for Cliff Floyd in blue & orange. Along with Tom Glavine, they are three of the last representatives of the last failed era in Mets baseball.

Now is the time to look forward. The offseason began when Adam Wainright's curveball bent over the plate and under Beltran's elbows. Much of the core from this season will be back next year. David Wright, Jose Reyes, Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Martinez, Billy Wagner, Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman, Paul Lo Duca and -- dare I say it? -- John Maine and Oliver Perez.

That's not a bad jumping-off point. Add one more starting pitcher -- Barry Zito? -- and one second baseman -- Alfonso Soriano? -- and you've got a team that could and should be great again next year.

Don't fret, Mets fans. This is just the beginning of something special.

By Mike Casey

With all due respect to my baseball-obsessed audience, October for me is usually about the start of hockey season.

You see, as a Mets fan, it’s usually about the time I normally put away the Mets hat and break out the #2 Brian Leetch jersey and five-year old black & gold Koho hockey stick.

Well, so far this month I’ve become rather obsessed myself with the MLB postseason – which is partly a responsibility of my employment with Newsday.com – and I have been frustratingly unable to watch much hockey so far.

So tonight, when I woke up from a two-hour catch-up nap to discover the Mets-Cardinals Game 5 was rained out, I breathed a sigh of relief.

I whisked into the kitchen, cooked up a little Hamburger Helper (good, working-class, hockey-watching food) and plopped down in my recliner for a long night of thinking about nothing but hockey.

What a welcome change of scenery!

For the first time all season, I watched a Rangers game from start to finish. Those of you who know me realize that – six games into the season -- this is a huge upset. During commercials and intermissions, I flipped over to FSN2 (aka Ch. 14) to check in on the Islanders-Predators game.

So I thought I’d share my belated early-season observations with my hockey-obsessed audience:

*I don’t care how you spin it. Devils hockey is BORING. Spend 40 minutes flipping the puck back and forth between the bluelines, 18 minutes killing off penalties you took because you were frustrated by their ridiculously staunch defense – leaving you with about 2 minutes of good, enjoyable hockey. Fortunately the Rangers scored four times in those two minutes and the Devils were undone for one night.

*Seriously, the Devils should be kicked out of the league.

*Except for Brian Gionta – I like him. And Marty Brodeur, because he handles the puck better than any goalie I’ve seen in my 26 years.

*What an absolute joy it is to hear Jiggs McDonald’s voice back on the air again. With all due respect to Howie Rose, who is a nice man and a good play-by-play guy, he doesn’t hold a candle to Jiggs. His voice just drips ‘Islanders hockey.’ Between the lousy picture on Channel 14 and the fact that the Islanders were wearing their classic blue jerseys, it allowed me to think back to the days of SportsChannel, with Jiggs and Ed Westfall on the call: “David Volek… over to Kurvers at the point… Now to Flatley, he SCORRRRRRES! Oh mercy what a play by Patrick Flatley!”

*By the way, a tip of the cap to new Islanders color commentator Billy Jaffe. He seems to be fitting in very nicely, and he’s clearly done his research – noting that backup Wade Dubielewicz is used to coming in as a late-game replacement after a shot caught Mike Dunham in the head.

*I also think Joe Micheletti has done a nice job replacing John Davidson on MSG. Rangers are fans aren’t necessarily going to warm up to him quickly -- considering he’s replacing the best color man in hockey – but give him time.

*Hey, Islanders fans. You sure do a lot of complaining about your team. But I saw a whole lot of people disguised as empty seats at Nassau Coliseum tonight. A silent protest or just genuine apathy? Send me an e-mail and give me your thoughts.

*Baseball returns tomorrow night, which means my attention will be divided again. But don’t worry, once it’s all over (hopefully after the Mets win it all), I’ll be back with more NHL blogging.

By Mike Casey

I have to admit, at different times through Steve Trachsel's Mets career, I've supported him.

Last year, when he came off the DL and threw eight scoreless innings, then had to wait 10 days to make his next start, I was one of the people grumbling that Willie Randolph wasn't giving him a fair shake.

Throughout this season, I alternated between defending him and berating him for his consistent -- and at times consistently bad -- performances.

Well, I should have known better. From Year 1, Trachsel and the Mets weren't right for each other. He began the 2001 season as their No. 3 starter was so bad he had to be sent to Triple-A to 'get fixed.'

Not much has improved since then.

Sure there was a 16-10 season with a 3.78 ERA in 2003. But on a team that only won 66 games, did that really matter?

Sure he was the guy who shut down Florida in the Mets' first NL East clincher in 18 years (I was at the game by the way). But let's try to keep this all in perspective.

When Mets fans look back on Trachsel's career here, will they remember his 16 wins in 2003 on a lousy team? Will they remember his 15 wins this year on a great team? Or will they remember his awful Game 3 outing that put the Mets in a deeper-than-it-sounds 2-1 hole against the Cardinals?

Win or lose, when this season is over, I know I won't be alone in wishing Steve Trachsel good luck at his next Major League stop (which hopefully will be in Atlanta or Philadelphia -- somewhere the Mets can beat up on him regularly).

Sorry, Steve, but you got exactly what you wished for. You desperately wanted to be a part of the Mets' playoff rotation. You wanted to prove to your critics your 15 wins weren't just a product of an absurd amount run support.

You had your chance, and you completely withered in the spotlight. You got exposed for what you really are: A fifth starter who can never be relied upon in a big game. I hope the fans of your next MLB team have just as much 'fun' rooting for you as I've had.

By Mike Casey

Tom Glavine, I forgive you.

I forgive you for giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings in your first ever Mets start to begin the 2003 season, the worst for the Mets in the past 24 years.

I forgive you for having a 48-48 career record with the Mets.

I forgive you for getting your teeth knocked out in a taxicab accident two years ago.

I forgive you for not being a strikeout pitcher like Pedro, for nibbling around the strike zone and for bitching about Questec.

And I apologize for ever questioning why the Mets gave you a four-year, $42.5 million contract.

There, I think that about covers it.

Glavine bailed the Mets out tonight, which sounds funny to say when you consider most people think they're the favorite to win the World Series.

But while the Mets offense couldn't touch Jeff Weaver for the first five innings (go figure), Glavine kept the Cardinals' bats absolutely silent.

He struck out Albert Pujols, and allowed just four hits in seven scoreless innings.

Basically, he did everything the Mets expected him to do when they signed him in 2003. Better late than never, right?

By Mark La Monica

Back in the day, specifically the year 2000, there was a great debate in baseball circles. It was about the mythical title of "Team of the Decade" for the 1990s.

You either supported the Atlanta Braves, their nine division titles and one World Series ring. Or, you voted for the Yankees, their five straight playoff berths from 1995-99 and their three World Series titles in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

The central issue of the debate was whether or not you rewarded continual success and second-place achievement (Braves) or you were all about dominance and ultimate championships (Yankees).

It made for fun chatter among baseball fans. Dumb and pointless, given that it meant nothing in the grand scheme of your life or the franchise's, but it was fun.

Here in October 2006, there is no question who the Atlanta Braves of this decade will be. The New York Yankees. Correction, the New York Braves.

If the Braves were the bridesmaids of the 1990s, this decade's Yankees are that last bridesmaid who only gets invited because she's short enough to walk next to the groom's fifth-best friend from college.

The Yankees have made the playoffs for 12 straight seasons, the last 11 under manager Joe Torre. Since 2000, here are the results:

2000 - Won World Series against Mets
2001 - Lost World Series to Diamondbacks
2002 - Lost ALDS to Angels
2003 - Lost World Series to Marlins
2004 - Lost ALCS to Red Sox
2005 - Lost ALDS to Angels
2006 - Lost ALDS to Tigers

Compare that to the Braves of the 1990s:

1991 - Lost World Series to Twins
1992 - Lost World Series to Blue Jays
1993 - Lost NLCS to Phillies
1994 - Playoffs canceled because of work stoppage
1995 - Won World Series against Indians
1996 - Lost World Series to Yankees
1997 - Lost NLCS to Marlins
1998 - Lost NLCS to Padres
1999 - Lost World Series to Yankees

Those Braves were good, but not good enough to win it all. These Yankees are good, but not good enough to win it all.

So, Yankee fans have to ask themselves how much is enough? Is making the playoffs every year and giving fans an extra week of excitement enough? Are you happy being the New York Braves?

Or is it really all or nothing?

Or is missing the playoffs one year -- such as the Atlanta Braves did this season -- worth it in order to rebuild the franchise for extended success?

Or, should George Steinbrenner call Ted Turner and ask what goes into planning a second-place parade?

By Mike Casey

Hang on -- give me a second to remove my foot from my mouth.

I'm not alone in predicting the Yankees-Tigers series would go the other way, but what no one could have predicted was how poorly the Yankees would play after Game 1.

What happened to the bats? What will they do about their pitching? Who stays? Who goes? Yards and yards of newsprint will be filled with debates about what went wrong, who was to blame (wild guess -- A-Rod takes some heat) and how it can be fixed. I'll leave it to the real experts to spill ink over that.

The simple fact is that it's over. The Subway Series train barely left the station, and it was the OTHER team that didn't hold up their end of the bargain.

Has the Mets' path to a World Series just gotten whole lot easier? You betcha, although I won't overlook the Tigers and the A's as dangerous American League opponents. But those teams remind me much more of the National League teams the Mets have pounded on all year.

Let's not forget, too, that the Mets are missing two of their top three starters, and that Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds still might have something to say about who takes the NL East. Hell, Greg Maddux might have something to say about it too.

But I'm in shock. All of New York is in shock. The Subway Series dream has died. We'll continue to follow the Mets' run to the World Series, but our shift on the Subway Series watch is over.

I'm just wondering -- any Yankees fans out there going to root for the Mets now that their team is out? No shame in admitting it, who could blame you for wanting a New York team to make the Series? E-mail me or post a comment.

By Adam Abramson

Man oh man, was Kenny Rogers on.

Joe, who sits next to me, wouldn’t believe the radar gun when his fastball checked in at 94 and Bobby Abreu was punched out. I don’t know if Bobby believed it either.

Either way, the Yankees are in trouble. In a time where players need to step up and carry the weight of others who are slacking, it seems nobody can carry their own weight. Forget the win…in the last two games, here’s how the Yankees look:

Damon: 2-9...OBP, gotta try to draw some walks, get things rolling early
Jeter: 2-7...He's the wizard behind the curtain, he's gotta motivate his teammates immediately
Abreu: 1-6...Every time he comes up, I expect him to hit a clutch double
Rodriguez: 0-7...It’s going to take two walk-offs to get Yankee fans back on his side, temporarily
Giambi: 0-7...Playing in pain is not fun
Sheffield/Williams: 0-7...Pick one, Joe
Matsui: 4-8...Solid as a rock
Posada: 3-6...Also having a great series
Cano: 1-7...Is his youth showing?
Total: 13-64

That’s a team batting average of .203 in the two losses.

There’s not much else to say besides the fact that someone needs to tell the Yankees that if they don’t start hitting, like now, they will lose.

Are they deflated? Yes. Are they out of it? No.

But they’re darn close.

Odds on the Yankees reaching the World Series: 8:1

By Adam Abramson

Mets fans and Yankees fans have to be on opposite plateaus after Thursdays events.

I don’t need to rehash what happened, instead I’ll talk about what it meant and what lies ahead.

I don’t know how much Yankee fans need to be flipping out right now. Tigers starter Justin Verlander is one of the better pitchers in the league – it wasn’t Lima Time for Detroit yesterday. And when he was done, one of the most feared relievers in baseball, Joel Zumaya, was there as the glue.

Now, if the Yankees fall down 2-1 in the series after Friday, then there’s some reason for concern. Also, if A-Rod doesn’t get any big hits, I fear for his safety. The people have spoken.

In Shea, Grady Little’s pitching intuition didn’t exactly pan out as the Mets beat up starter Hong-Chih Kuo and kept him from increasing his career win total to 2, which of course is a shame considering it’s such a milestone.

It’s going to be hard for the Mets to lose this series, even if I was starting Game 3 on Saturday. Man, that would be so sweet: Greg Maddux (15-14) vs. Adam Abramson (0-0). With Nomar coming up lame trying to leg out a single and J.D. Drew in playoff misery (0-4 with a K and grounding into a double play), the Dodgers are as good as done.

If this series reaches a fourth game, we’ll be able to get a glimpse of what the Mets have in store when they likely face the Cardinals. If it comes to that, they better walk Pujols every at bat, but that’s a different discussion for a different night.

Two I’d easily put $20 on:
Odds on the Mets making it: 20:1
Odds on the Yanks: 4:1

By Mark La Monica

Here in New York, you can barely make it from your bed to the shower without hearing about the potential for a Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets.

Let's take a short timeout from all the baseball hype to ask this simple question: When can a basketball coach smile and not really care when one of his players misses an easy and uncontested dunk?

This rare instance happens when that dunk occurs toward the beginning of a split-squad scrimmage game meant to entertain fans during a Midnight Madness-type event at Carnesecca Arena.

During Thursday night's Storm Fest, the unofficial kickoff to the 2006-07 college basketball season at St. John's, Anthony Mason Jr. got serious air and went for a monster dunk. He missed.

Coach Norm Roberts, in his third season, smiled and laughed it off. Of course, the 1,645 fans in attendance laughed, too. Roberts has enough on his mind, like getting the Red Storm into the postseason this year. No sense worrying about one missed dunk at an event that is way less formal than a practice or even the Marathon Oil game.

"As a coach, you always want to see your players play hard," Roberts said. "I know it's a relaxed atmosphere. They're just out there to have fun."

That smile got a bit smaller as the night went on and the missed dunks progressed. Watching Roberts stifle his natural coaching instincts was interesting. There would be no reason for him to say anything about it. This is not even exhibition. It's just fun for the fans. But, when you're in that chair, on that bench, in that home arena, with those fans, the players on the court and the scoreboard working, it's second-nature at that point to want to coach.

Understand something here, people: This was just a glorified practice with a running clock and no whistles. So, there's no need to worry about anything from this little event aimed at getting fans fired up for the season. When it happens with frequency during a game, then you can be concerned. Until then, just be excited basketball is starting again.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled baseball talk.

By Adam Abramson

I received a message before the Mets kicked off their NLDS on Wednesday from one of John Maine’s high school teachers. Mrs. Joyce Steele, a good teacher and better woman, wanted me to show some love to the former Wolverine.

The Commonwealth of Va. product was solid in Game 1, but a fifth-inning jam with 2-1 lead led to Willie Randolph paying him a visit and taking the ball from him. I think this was a good move, Maine threw 80 pitches, meaning one of two things:

A. He’ll be ready if called upon later in this series. A move I wouldn’t do unless the series was on the line.
B. If the Mets move on, he’ll be a more-than-well rested option for Game 1 in the NLCS.

Other bright spots:

• Carlos Delgado was magnificent in his 4-5 performance, you can tell he waited over a decade to get his licks in a playoff game – it’s pretty exciting to see.

• The Mets didn’t have to do anything crazy or out of their form to win Game 1. It was your “typical” Mets win – couple of home runs, two big doubles by David Wright, a Jose Reyes stolen base, two strikeouts from Shawn Green…just kidding (kind of, he needs to earn his keep. Like now.)

• The Mets answered the call multiple times. The win wasn’t easy, if the Dodgers threw a punch, the Mets countered with a stronger one.

• Of the six runs, four were charged to Lowe and two charged to Brad Penny (out of the bullpen). That’s two of their biggest guns.

• The play at the plate was incredible. What a devastating blow to the Dodgers. I know ball players have to be mentally tough, but that mistake is so big, it’s hard to let down. J.D. Drew’s error on the base path will haunt him the rest of this series. His three subsequent at bats resulted in two strikeouts and a flyout…we’ll see if he can bounce back in Game 2, but I highly doubt it. I’ve never watched the Tom Emanski videos, but I’d set an over/under on 6 minutes dedicated to watching the base coach when rounding second.
  

If the Mets have to expend their relievers at that rate, they won’t last through October. They better hope each starter can go six innings, allowing Randolph to form a healthy rotation of relievers.

I was pretty discouraged when I heard the news about El Duque on Tuesday, as seen in my entry below, but I felt somewhat more confident in the Mets after Wednesday. However, they could have a lot of trouble in the NLCS.

Odds on the Mets reaching a potential Subway Series: 20:1

By Adam Abramson

ALDS: Derek Jeter 1, Tigers 0

As Game 1 ended last night I received a message from my friend Megan wanting a favor: “if you write anything, will you please call Derek Jeter ‘pretty?’ ”

Well, he was pretty much everything but ugly, going 5-for-5 with a homer and two two-baggers. The Yankee captain lived up to his expectations once again.

As I watched the Cardinals-Padres earlier in the day, I was thinking “Anything is possible with Pujols” as he belted a home run out of PETCO Park. But the same applies to Jeter.

Although, to prove he’s not perfect, he did get caught stealing. But then again, it was a hit-and-run with an unhittable pitch, so it wasn’t entirely Derek’s fault…okay, I’m done trying to point out flaws.

If the Yankees stay true to their Tuesday night form, it’s looking good. I just laugh at how ridiculously dangerous that lineup us…Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Sheffield, Giambi, Rodriguez, Matsui, Posada, Cano….THAT’S AN ALLSTAR TEAM.

Chien-Ming Wang wasn’t lights out, pitching 6 2/3, giving up three runs. But if that’s the bar every starter had to meet, I would bet the farm on the Bronx Bombers with the above lineup.

If the heavyweights in the bullpen can elevate their play, there’s no reason the Yankees can’t reach the World Series.

Two things: one, I would have given Tigers starting pitcher Nate Robertson more of a chance (and more respect) if he had worn Rec-Specs instead of that Oakley jazz. Two, Derek Jeter is indeed pretty.

Subway Series odds: 15 to 1
After Tuesday, odds of the Yankees doing their part: 3.5 to 1

Zito, Zito, Where art thou?

In the voice of the snide antagonist from the 1992 film Sidekicks: “Barry Warry, why aren’t you a Met?”

With the Mets’ ailing pitching staff receiving as much publicity as a Paris Hilton broken nail, a sturdy arm like Barry Zito’s would certainly let Willie Randolph sleep easier at night.

The news that Orlando Hernandez might miss Wednesday’s Game 1 start was the last thing anyone affiliated with the Mets wanted to hear after Pedro’s playoff departure.

Zito was dominant for the Athletics on Tuesday afternoon, out dueling Johan Santana to give Oakland a 1-0 lead in the other ALDS. Santana hadn’t lost in the Metrodome since August….of 2005 (14 months for those still counting).

And to think the Mets almost added Zito to the fold this season…ohhh the possibilities.

The news about El Duque’s calf is big for one reason: the 2005 Chicago White Sox. It’s no secret that staff was the crux of bringing a world title to the Windy City. Without El Duque, the Mets are in trouble, like Danny Almonte being 47 years old in the LLWS trouble.

Can they get past the Dodgers without El Duque? Yeah, but they’re going to need some heafty bats that didn’t exist at the end of September. But I don’t like their chances in a seven-game series.

Odds of Mets holding up their end of the deal (without El Duque): His age, plus 4, to 1…he’s that important.

By Mike Casey

So, you made it to the end of another long regular season. Congratulations. Now get ready for the real mania.

In October, New York turns into one red-hot spotlight, and the playoffs intensify the heat on the Mets and Yankees in a way that no other city, sport, or team can match.

Fortunately, the Keyboard Quarterbacks are here to help. We'll be handicapping the odds of a Subway Series throughout the playoffs (or at least until one of the teams is eliminated). You can check back each day to see updates as we follow our beloved franchises through the twists and turns of October. Without further ado, let's begin.

METS

The Mets come into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak, which allayed fears that the team had fallen asleep during its preceding four-game skid.

The lineup is intact for the most part; Cliff Floyd is nursing a chronically sore Achilles tendon and Paul Lo Duca has played through a variety of aches and pains all year.

The pitching staff is a HUGE (emphasis needed here), HUGE question mark. Orlando Hernandez starts Game 1 against the Dodgers after serving as a role player in White Sox's bullpen last year. Yeah, something's not quite right there.

Tom Glavine has playoff experience, but at 39, can he be relied upon to go deep into a game?

Pedro Martinez is out, although, strangely, the Mets seemed to relax after his status was determined. How much of their recent struggles were caused by preoccupation with Pedro's health? Quite a bit, I think.

Former Red Sox starter Derek Lowe pitches for L.A. in Game 1. Lowe doesn't thrill me, though the Mets have had some trouble with sinkerball pitchers this year. It all comes down to how good El Duque can be in Game 1. You know he'll get run support, but can Hernandez keep Rafael Furcal, Nomar Garciaparra, and Jeff Kent in check until he can turn it over to the bullpen? It's iffy.

Game 1 prediction: Mets 6, Dodgers 4.
Series prediction: Mets in 5

YANKEES

Johnny Damon (.285, 24 HR, 80 RBI, 115 runs, 25 SBs)
Derek Jeter (.344, 14, 97, 118 runs, 34 SBs)
Bobby Abreu (.297, 107 RBIs, 30 SBs, .427 OBP)
Gary Sheffield (455 career HRs, career .297 average)
Jason Giambi (37 HRs, 113 RBIs)
Alex Rodgriguez (.290, 35 HRs, 121 RBIs)
Hideki Matsui (.412, 3 HR, 10 RBIs since returning from injury on Sept. 12)
Jorge Posada (.277, 23 HRs, 93 RBIs)
Robinson Cano (.342, 78 RBIs, 41 doubles)

What else do I need to say about the offense?

The pitching is more of a concern. Randy Johnson's back is still acting up; even when he's healthy he's far from lights out. Mike Mussina's mediocre 5-6 postseason record as a Yankee belies a 3.69 postseason ERA in those 14 starts. Game 1 starter Chien-Ming Wang is untested in the playoffs, although my gut tells me he will turn in a terrific postseason performance.

As long as the Yankees can get the ball to Mariano in the 8th or 9th, it's all over.

The upstart Tigers have had a nice season and they have some great young arms, but the Yanks already proved they can handle them during the regular season, when they won 5 of 7 games between the teams.

Nate Robertson (13-13, 3.84 ERA) starts Game 1 for the Tigers. Big whoop. If Detroit doesn't take one of two at Yankee Stadium, it's over.

Game 1 prediction: Yankees 4, Tigers 2.
Series prediction: Yankees in 3

SUBWAY SERIES WATCH

The Mets are on shaky ground with Pedro out, and the Dodgers won't be a pushover. The Mets are the dominant team in the National League, but we've all seen how poor pitching can sabotage good teams. If the Mets do make it to the World Series, it'll have to be nip-and-tuck all the way.

The Yankees drew a favorable matchup in the first round, and I don't see much to intimidate them in the ALCS either. Right now, the Yanks are the clear favorite in the American League.

Subway Series odds: 15 to 1.

By Mark La Monica

Making plans to watch Tuesday night's Game 1 of the Yankees-Tigers ALDS was as nostalgic as it was easy.

I just dialed up Jitsu friend Colskore, found out what he was doing and invited myself along.

"If they win, you gotta watch all the games with us then," he said.

"Clearly," I responded.

Wow. I forgot how silly we fans get when the playoffs start. It's been since the Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS -- yes, the Aaron Boone game -- since I was legitimately excited for a Yankee playoff game. The World Series that year was so anti-climactic, and in the years since, I've worked all the nights the Yankees played, so I haven't really watched a game in a long time.

But in that brief moment in the office, I flashed back to the late 1990s when the Yankees began their run. How, during the 1996 World Series, Consultant friend Jay, myself and our other college roommates watched Game 3 with the TV on mute and Vin Scully calling the game on the radio. Anything to change the luck after dropping the first two games at home to Atlanta. The Yankees won that game, so we did the same thing the rest of the series, all Yankee wins. Hey, if Wade Boggs can eat chicken before every game, we can listen to the radio?

Or, how my clothing combination of a Don Mattingly T-shirt and an unnumbered Yankee road jersey went 19-4 during the 1997-2000 postseasons.

Or, how I used to shave on the last day of the baseball season and then not shave again until the Yankees were out of the playoffs.

Or, how Lawyer friend Steve decided to drink a beer an inning during a 1999 World Series game. He made it through seven strong innings but collapsed in the eighth.

Ah, the glory days. Now I'm just happy to not fall asleep before the game ends.

What are your fan rituals for the Yankees and Mets in the postseason?

By Adam Abramson

Hampton-Phoebus.

That’s about as good as it gets in Hampton Roads, Va., especially if they meet for the Peninsula District championship. Legendary coach Mike Smith of Hampton has coached players like Ronald Curry and against players like Michael Vick. He’s the area’s Joe Torre, in a sense.

When I relocated to New York at the beginning of the summer, it was like Charlie walking into the chocolate factory. I was able to get a fresh breath of what I once knew.

See, I grew up in Fort Lauderdale with a healthy dose of South Florida sports. I was there on April 5, 1993, when the brand new Florida Marlins, behind Charlie Hough, topped Orel Hershiser and the Dodgers. I was one of the millions who hoped and prayed with every Dan Marino pass that we could finally topple the mighty Buffalo Bills. I remember when Rony Seikaly, not Dwayne Wade and Shaq, was the cornerstone of the Miami Heat.

All of that was taken away when I moved to Virginia. That’s not to say I didn’t love my eight years in the Commonwealth. I have a special place in my heart for my time there. But it was missing something. It was missing Yankee and Shea Stadiums, it was missing the Garden, and it was missing the Nassau Coliseum.

My sports fix was pinned on the Norfolk Tides (soon to be the former Triple A affiliate of the Mets), my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies and, of course, Hampton-Phoebus.

My visits to New York this past winter and my permanent relocation this summer were marked by evenings spent in the aforementioned hallowed grounds. It's true: You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

I have come to embrace New York in such a short amount of time mostly because of sports. Wallow in the misery of the Knicks and Islanders all you want, but at least you can let out your frustrations in person, if you so choose. Two divisional champions? Try not having a team, let alone a team that stinks.

It’s going to be a special October – I hope you all are ready for it.

But just remember this one thing: If Moose’s knuckle curve is getting beat up in an elimination game, take a deep breath and be glad it’s not another school-yard sweep right by the mighty Phantoms on third and four.

By Mark La Monica

Just when I was ready to declare these Jets "for real" this season, I witnessed this mind-boggling completion to a 16-play, 77-yard drive covering 8 minutes and 41 seconds with the score tied at 14 in the third quarter:

- Third-and-goal from the 2, three tight ends in the game for the Jets. Handoff to Cedric Houston, 0 yards, 1 injury.
- Timeout.
- Fourth-and-goal from the 2, three tights ends in the game for Jets. Play-action fake by Chad Pennington. Rollout to the right, 0 yards, 1 interception.

Total: Two plays, one timeout, one injury, one turnover, zero points.

"That was the plan," Jets coach Eric Mangini said in his postgame news conference. "We were gonna drive the length of the field. We're looking to score touchdowns, not field goals."

Sure, guts are good. But you just don't leave points on the board against Peyton Manning. That's just not smart. You also don't go with three tight ends on fourth-and-goal from the 2. Everyone knows you're going to pass, so make it a little easier for your quarterback. Playaction was meant for second or third down. Not fourth. It doesn't fool anyone. (What would you do in the situation? Vote here.)

For once, perhaps Jets fans wouldn't mind a little Herm Edwards attitude for a few hours today. The Colts then marched down the field for a field goal and a 17-14 lead.

Just when I was ready to possibly contemplate being a first-time caller, long-time listener and discussing head coach Eric Mangini's poor decision, Justin Miller returns a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown and a 28-24 lead with 2:20 left. It should have been 31-24 with 2:20 left. Then, Jets fans could at least be comfortable knowing their team was going to overtime.

With that much time left, was I the only one thinking "That's waaaaaaaaay too much time to give the best quarterback on the best offense in the league to work against the Jets?"

Touchdown, Colts!

Just when I was ready to turn the television off with eight seconds left, I saw Leon Washington lateral to Brad Smith. Then I saw Smith throw across the field to Laveraneus Coles, who lateraled to Pennington, who threw back across the field to Justin McCareins, who then lateraled back to Smith, who then lateraled back to Coles, who then tossed the ball away to Nick Mangold as he was being tackled, who ran for a bit before tossing back to Washington who couldn't handle the high throw.

Jets lose, 31-28.

Damn, these Jets are exciting to watch. They can't stop the run, and they can't really run the ball (sorry, but the Colts' run defense stinks), but they are fun to watch. And they're for real this season. Will they make the playoffs? Who knows. But they'll compete in their division.