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.