MLB

Day one of the actual MLB playoffs was quite the success. There was a lot of wind, some great performances and a bit of a surprise that perhaps shouldn't have been...

First, the Yankees somehow really do have that feel of those Championship teams from the late 90's. The lineup has power at nearly every spot. They got 29 homers out of a role player like Nick Swisher. The bullpen has rounded into form and they have some reasonable to outstanding starting pitching.

That said, I think everyone may be going a bit over-board using last night's win as reason enough to already crown this team. We have seen it everywhere - this team is just too good, etc etc. Look, CC Sabathia went out there and beat Brian Duensing in a game the Yanks were trailing an exhausted, average Twins team at one point. On the same day we saw the Phillies bats wake up against a very good pitcher in Ubaldo Jimenez as Cliff Lee nearly threw a complete game shut-out. The Dodgers, a very talented, well-managed club beat Chris Carpenter. Tonight the Yankees kryptonite (the Angels) square off against a somehow flying-under-the-radar Boston team. I'm not saying the Yankees shouldn't win (by the way I thought CC was incredibly sharp and answered all questions surrounding his last start vs. Tampa)...but it's not going to be as easy as everyone seems to think it will.

Today we have some great matchups: At 2:30 the Phils should move to 2-0 as Cole Hamels takes on Aaron Cook. It's an important start to see if Cole Hamels has still got something left in the tank. If Hamels pitches a gem everyone else should be on note that the Phils are ready to defend their title.

The 6 o'clock game pits Clayton Kershaw against Adam Wainwright. Kershaw, the incredibly talented young southpaw can be dominant at times..and can also be prone to getting bombed. Wainwright has been perhaps the team's most consistent pitcher this year...in a series most people expected the Cardinals to walk, it looks like the Dodgers are going to give them more than they bargained for.

At 9:30 it's Lackey vs Lester. Will it be the Angels or the Red Sox attempting to beat the Yankees in the ALCS? The winner of this game has the inside track.