It's sure great to see the Mets lowering ticket prices for 2010. They shouldn't have been so high to begin with-like at the start of the season when the team was talking playoffs, By the time we hit July, the team-even with their injuries-was exposed as poorly put together with inept management from GM Omar Minaya on down.

Tigers or Twins.

There’s no secret the Yankees get the AL Central winner in the first round of the playoffs. The secret is, who will that team be?

At this blogging, the Twins just beat the Royals to pull within a half game of the Tigers in the central, with Detroit still to play tonight.

With that being said, and the AL Central still very much in doubt, you can’t blame Yankee fans for asking “who would we rather play, Twins or Tigers?”

On the surface, the answer seems pretty simple….the Yankees want the Twins.

Here’s why:

Not a huge surprise that the Jets were beaten down in New Orleans this afternoon.

Tough team, tough building and tough to expect your rookie quarterback to open his career with four wins against playoff-caliber teams.

Mark Sanchez made rookie mistakes today. No big deal, you expect those growing pains if you’re the Jets.

Better they come against probably the best team you’ll play all year and a game your most likely weren’t going to win.

Get them out of the way now. Let Sanchez learn from them this week and hopefully do a better job of protecting the ball and sensing danger while in the pocket.

As for the silver lining in this game, it’s gotta be the defense.

It's been over for a long time now... But we can finally, officially say that the 2009 season is over for the Mets. They swept the Houston Astros for the final series at Citi Field this year. Oh if they could have swept the last 2 years' final series. But I digress... Yes, the Mets had a lot of injuries. No club could have won with all those players on the DL. But don't let the injuries fool you. This club needs work. Hopefully in the off-season, the Mets problems will be addressed... Namely some pitchers to back up Johan Santana, some thumpers in the lineup, and a left fielder and a first baseman just to name a few. Our Glenn Petraitis caught up with the club on their way to winter break. Check out Jerry Manuel here and the Mets players in our video player on the right hand side of the screen.

I had such an amazing time getting to know everyone involved with the Street Soccer USA team from NYC. Coach Lawrence...Susan from Help USA (the umbrella organization that runs the homeless soccer program)...and of course the guys: Ray, Chris, Kourtney and more...what inspirational stories!!! I was humbled by their gratitude for everything given to them. I never once heard anyone of these men complain about their circumstances.

In fact, they expressed how they are working tirelessly to rise from their situations. For never touching a soccer ball, some of these guys aren't bad players either! I have always cherished my moments as an athlete, using them as building blocks for my personal and professional lives. What a joy to see this kind of thing happening! Find out more on the organization and help out if you can:

http://www.streetsoccerusa.org/

http://www.helpusa.org/

The Yankees have long known that they would be in the playoffs. The Twins just made it in Tuesday night in an epic 12 inning thriller. We talked to the Bombers about the upcoming series. Check out the video player to the right.

We caught up with the Giants at the Meadowlands today to get their thoughts on Sunday’s game against Oakland.

The Giants finally return home after three straight away from Giants Stadium.

The one streak that’s still in tact, however, is the G-Men’s recent run of games versus cupcakes.

Week 3 it was the Bucs, last week the Giants crushed the Chiefs, and then Sunday they should easily handle the laughing-stock Raiders.

The big question, of course, is whether or not Eli Manning will play….and if he does, how effective he’ll be.

It seems like Eli will be out there Sunday, and he’s taking the necessary precautions at practice this week – namely sitting out and getting treatment.

In the unlikely chance that Manning won’t be under center, former #1 overall pick David Carr gets the ball.

What does Carr think about the prospect of playing Sunday? How about Eli? Does Manning's potential absence affect Justin Tuck, Danny Clark and the rest of the Giant defense? Will David Diehl and the offensive line have the same success playing in front of Carr?

For the answers to these questions and more, check out the interviews below we shot from today’s practice.

As always, adjust your fantasy rosters accordingly (that means YOU, Steve Smith owners!!!):

I know it's early, but might we be witnessing something special in the Bronx? The Yankees did it again Friday night. They broke the Twins heart yet again with another walk-off win. Mark Teixeira's 11th inning homerun made the Yankees a 4-3 winner and sent the Twins into a deep 2-0 hole in their best of 5 ALDS. It's the Yankees 16th walkoff win (4th against the Twins-- 1st in the playoffs.)

The Twins have to be shell shocked. Many would say that the Yankee season reached its turning point in May when they swept the Twinkies, winning each game in dramatic fashion in their last at-bat. But this one is different. Many have questioned whether or not Alex Rodriguez would finally come through in the playoffs. So far, he has, and then some. After a 2 for 4, 2 RBI performance Wednesday night, A-Rod followed that up with another 2 hits including a homerun and 3 RBI. The homerun could not have been more clutch; an adjective we have rarely used for Rodriguez in October. Bottom of the 9th, no outs, runner on first. A-Rod came up and launched a pitch into the right center field seats, looking to the dugout and pumping his fists before releasing the bat. When Rodriguez reached the dugout, the person with the widest smile was Derek Jeter. Jeter had a game tying homerun in Game 1 and seemed the happiest for his teammate who just turned the same trick.

This comes as a surprise to nobody, but the Giants destroyed the woeful Oakland Raiders today at Giants Stadium, 44-7, to improve to 5-0 on the season.

This, though, you might not have known. It’s only the THIRD time in Giants franchise history the team is off to a 5-0 start. One time, in 1990, did the G-Men start 5-0 and win the Super Bowl.

So there you go. 5-0 = Good.

As for that game, is it just me or did anyone else feel genuinely sorry for the Raiders? During that first half they looked about as hapless as any team I’ve ever seen in the NFL.

On a personal note, their gross offensive ineptitude brought back memories of my horrible high school football career in which I was often seen doing my best JaMarcus Russell impersonation….running for my life and/or fumbling the ball almost as often as I completed a pass (Russell, 3 fumbles, 8 completions….yikes!).

Anyway, enough about terrible quarterbacks like me and JaMarcus Russell….what did the Giants think about today’s beatdown??!

We were in the jubilant post game locker room and asked an injury-free Eli Manning and Co. what it was like to beat a J-V squad posing as an NFL team.

Take a listen:

The ALCS is all set, and Yankees-Angels promises to be exciting. With apologies to the remaining National League squads, it will probably decide the next world champion.

BUT-thanks to MLB and TV, we have to wait the better part of 5 days. WHY can't they start this baby Wednesday? This gives both squads a chance to rest, and the Angels the opportunity to fly into the Big Apple and avoid jet lag. To my knowledge, Springsteen isn't playing at Angels Stadium or the Bronx in the next week, so let's go.

Sadly, TV rules the world. The only good thing about the long wait is it means much less "Lopez Tonight" promos on TBS, since the ALCS is on Fox. If they could, Fox would have Stewie Griffin from "Family Guy" in the booth with Buck and McCarver. Happily, the series should be great once they start.

Joe Girardi hinted today that the Yanks might opt to go with a three-man starting rotation of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

We’ll know soon if that’s the path Girardi chooses to go down for the series against LA, but I say RIGHT NOW that’s it’s the way to go.

I understand that the Yanks don’t necessarily want to show their hand and divulge their rotation too soon so that the Angels might glean some sort of advantage from that (never quite understood that, by the way. It reminds me of Eric Mangini and his paranoia while coaching the Jets).

But barring any weather issues expect the Yanks to go with CC in games 1, 4 and 7, AJ in 2 and 5, and Andy in 3 and 6.

To me, this is the obvious way to go.

We made it out to the Yankees' workout today prior to Friday’s game one of the ALCS and caught up with a bunch of Bombers to gauge their thoughts on the series.

Tippy-top on the question list were: 1) will the Yankees use a three-man pitching rotation and 2) concern about their recent history against the Angels.

As far as the former is concerned, Joe Girardi said Tuesday that he was considering using CC, AJ and Andy as the only starting pitchers in the series….meaning three starts for CC.

In the piece below, Girardi gives further insight into that plan, PLUS, Joba Chamberlain tells us how he feels being the odd-man out of the rotation.

Also in the story we asked the Yankees if their recent successes or failures against the Angels will play any role in the series (but mostly their failures).

We got Jeter, Swisher and AJ talking about that. I think you’ll like their answers…especially if you’re a Yankee fan.

On a similar note, we heard a quote today attributed to Brian Cashman saying that it’s his understanding that the Angels WANTED the Yanks to advance because they feel they can beat them.

Crazy that anyone would call out the Yanks right now, but it’s that confidence that led us to ask the Bombers if they’re sensing any of that Angels’ swagger.

Take a listen to the piece below for all of the above:

So there I was, safely planning on leaving this whole Rush Limbaugh-Rams ownership thing alone. I personally don't see Rush as the great conservative leader others do. Like Ann Coulter, Alan Colmes, Michael Moore and the like, he has his detractors and supporters. In this life, we all do. It's the nature of being human. Some are more revered by their supporters than others. There's no doubt in my mind that Limbaugh at some level enjoys at some level being in the spotlight-even while he claims to be "misquoted" and "misunderstood."

But upon further review, the NFL and Dave Checketts forcing Limbaugh out as part of an ownership group to buy the Rams points of hypocrisy.

We were out at a FRIGID Yankee Stadium today to meet both the Yankees and their latest opponent (victims?), the Angels.

How’s this for the understatement of the year….they ain’t in Southern California anymore!

Weather in the 40’s and a nasty cold rain greeted the Halos this afternoon at the Stadium.

The big talk of the day was the weather and a potential mess for game one Friday night (rain out, snow out, or slop-fest?).

Nevertheless, our intrepid Lolita Lopez managed to pry some good info out of LA – some of it not weather related!! – so take a listen to what they think about the upcoming ALCS.

Below you’ll hear from former Yankee Bobby Abreu, former Met (prospect…yeah, that still stings) Scott Kazmir, Centerfield Spider Man impersonator Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick (not sure what he’s know for just yet).

Enjoy:

If you stayed up to about 1:10 in the morning or stayed for all 13 innings (5 hours and 10 minutes) at Yankee Stadium you were treated to a fun game... Not epic, but fun... This is the kind of game that the Yankees have not won in the recent past. This year is different. Everything seems to be falling into place for the Bombers. They beat the Angels 4-3 in game 2 of the ALCS.

Again, I have to start with Alex Rodriguez. The A-Rod bashers are very quiet right now because he has been CLUTCH! Yes, CLUTCH! That's a word that has not described him in past years. With the Yankees trailing 3-2 in the 11th, Rodriguez hit his 3rd HR of this postseason. All 3 homers have tied the game for the Yankees in the late innings. The Yanks had a new life and they took advantage.

After blazing out to a 3-0 record and igniting talk of a New York/New York Super Bowl, the Jets were thoroughly humbled tonight against the last-place Bills, losing 16-13 in overtime.

This was one for the ages…in that it was about as ugly a game as you could imagine.

Despite five interceptions from rookie Mark Sanchez, the Jets had a chance to win it in overtime, if not for a botched hold by punter Steve Weatherford on a potential game-winning field goal.

The Jets also managed to waste the greatest rushing game in franchise history, turned in by Thomas Jones. TJ put up 210 yards and it STILL wasn’t enough to push the Jets past the lowly Bills and their BACKUP quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

When the Jets lost to the Saints to fall to 3-1, fans excused that loss by saying it was in hostile New Orleans and the Saints were undefeated.

When the Jets lost to the Dolphins to fall to 3-2, fans justified that one by saying it too was on the road and the gimmicky Wildcat worked to perfection for Miami.

Now that the Jets lost to the Bills to fall to 3-3, I’m not sure how Jet fans will explain this one.

This was inexcusable. An embarrassment.

We were in the losing locker room after the game and got reaction to what Gang Green better hope is rock bottom during this season.

Take a listen:

If you were brave enough to see yesterday's Bills-Jets game from start to finish, God bless you. That may have been one of the worst football games ever. During the overtime, I actually thought it would end in a tie. Really. Neither team seemed like it really cared WHO won.

Yes, rookie Mark Sanchez had a bad day. 5 picks is bad in 4 games for a QB. But he's not the only first year Jet who needs to get his act together. Coach Rex Ryan has some work to do, too.

Angels celebrate their Game 3 win

Hey Joe... I know you want to prove you're Smarter than a 5th Grader... (Shameless Plug for a show seen on PIX11)... But you're overdoing it... What?? Overmanaging!! Joe Girardi's use of the bullpen has been in question earlier in these playoffs but the Yankees won every other game so the questions could be dismissed as nitpicks. But in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Angels Girardi managed the Yankees into a loss... Let's cut right to the chase. Phil Hughes worked a scoreless 9th in a 4-4 game. Move to the 10th. The Yankees didn't score in the top of the inning so Hughes came out to start the bottom of the inning. He promptly allowed a leadoff double to Jeff Mathis. And that was Hughes' last pitch. In came Mariano Rivera. I can't argue that move. Now, Rivera didn't make it easy... throwing the ball to left field on a bunt play. Thankfully Johnny Damon was there to back up the play or else the Yankees would have lost the game right there. Rivera did wiggle his way out of the inning.

I am an old school type person. I believe in pitchers going until they can't anymore ala CC and Seaver and Johan. I don't like "the rules". I hate the tap tap, fix the batting gloves (though I am okay with the celebration, I'm emotional, what can I say?) I DO believe in umpires too so know that when I say, give me instant replay!

When I write a story, I use spell check. If not on my computer, I have a friend edit my writing. For many important things in life, we have someone looking over our shoulders to make sure we are doing whatever it may be as well as possible. So why not instant replay to check the "biggies" as I call them in baseball, especially in the playoffs?! The botched calls in last night's Yankees/Angels game were just embarrassing, NOT because they happened but because like always the umpires brush it off. They have become the "untouchables".

Tim McClelland admitted his error in the Cano/Posada play and basically wrote off the Swisher tag. (Look, that one was a wash from a bumble beforehand). Still it's like we just have to accept it when there is something that may (for the most part) eliminate those types of situations. So, let's make instant replay for more than just home runs, fan interference and whether the ball leaves the playing field. If there is a play in question in other sports, they go to the videotape. (Ode to Warner) Why not baseball? In basketball, football, even tennis with its challenges, no one disrespects the officials by asking for a second look. They understand that we are human and make mistakes occasionally. That's cool. I would be fine with yesterday and other mistakes on the baseball front if it wasn't for the attitude of "get over it, we are the umps". Let technology help and know that it is still the ump who I go to first.

How might that be? I’m glad you asked.

Well, two weeks ago you’ll remember the Giants killed the Raiders, 44-7.

It was after that game Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said that playing against the Raiders was like playing a scrimmage.

Now while probably true, it’s not a particularly nice thing to say about your NFL brethren.

So what does this have to do with the Jets? I’m getting to that….jeez, be a little patient, would ya?

Before I get too far into this, I still believe the Yanks will win this series.

But after their performance tonight, there’s reason to worry: this team, specifically the bullpen, lacks the killer instinct typical of championship teams.

After that awe-inspiring rally in the top of 7th, the Yankees needed to come out blazing in the bottom of the inning and get that “shut down” frame.

Unfortunately for the Yanks they did anything BUT shut down the Angels. L.A. bounced back with three runs to take the lead en route to a come-from-behind win.

So where does the blame lie? Some might say with Joe Girardi. You could second-guess his move to keep AJ Burnett in to start the 7th inning. You could also argue that Damaso Marte has no reason pitching in this series (I would argue that).

But for me the main issue is the lack of a killer instinct in the bullpen….namely the young guys, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.

I boldly predicted before tonight’s game 5 (to nobody in particular) that the Yankees would lose, thus bringing the series back to the Bronx.

When I made that prediction, I was thinking something like a 3-hitter from John Lackey. But while the Angels ace didn’t go the distance against the Yanks, he was still very good and left the game before the Yankees scored any runs.

What did the Bombers in tonight was their inability to put the Angels away after taking a 6-4 lead in the 7th. LA answered that Yankee barrage with three runs of their own in the home half of the inning.

Plenty of blame to go around for that one; should Joe Girardi have let AJ Burnett come out to start the 7th?, was Damaso Marte the best choice as his replacement?, why isn’t Phil Hughes dominating like he did in the regular season?

Anyway, enough second-guessing….on to my next bold prediction:

The Yankees will close out the series Saturday with a win in game six.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada

When I blogged about game 3, I said the Yankees really needed to grab that game. It was right there but Joe Girardi's overmanaging took a win out of their hands. I said the Angels would be a pain in the neck and that came out to be true. So here we are looking at a Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are still in the driver's seat but you have to wonder if 2004 is starting to creep back into their conscious. They say no, but if they lose 6... Yankee Stadium will be a very tense place for Game 7. We sampled some Yankee opinions... Listen in...

Andy Pettitte
 

Nick Swisher and Derek Jeter
 

With game six of the ALCS postponed tonight and the pundits having 24 more hours to fill with no game to talk about, the inevitable question has arisen:

Who will benefit more from tonight’s cancellation?

As far as the game play on the field, I argue that neither team has an edge playing in the soggy weather. I don’t buy the whole “team from So. California unable to play in wet conditions” thing.

Most players on EITHER roster are from the west coast, southeast or Latin America…cold is cold to these guys regardless of where you play your 82 home games.

Strategically, though, the extra day off allows the Angels to throw ace John Lackey in a potential game seven on Monday.

The Yankees advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2003 with tonight’s Game six win over the Angels in the Bronx.

We were there for the post game celebration….and seeing how it’s 2:30 A.M. and my hair has officially clumped into a solid helmet due to champagne saturation….we’ve dumped the best interviews from the night right here in the blog so I can go home and grab a shower.

We talked to everyone including Jeter, Mo, CC, AJ, Swisher, Tex, Hughes, Joba and Johnny Damon.

Also, as a very special bonus EXCLUSIVE to the Huddle blog…..a
one-on-one with Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson.

Among the highlights: We asked Reggie if this team has what it takes
to be a champion, if the players today seek out his advice, and if the
Yankee teams of the 70’s celebrated wins the same way they do
today….(hint: it wasn’t called the ‘swinging 70’s’ for nothing).

Click below to hear all the interviews:

As a lifelong Mets fan, I perhaps have never felt as much stress as I do now. After one of the worst seasons in team history given the expectations, I now see the NOT SO Amazin's Big Apple rivals and their National League nemesis meeting in the 105th World Series. Let's hope that the Wilpons are watching to learn how to rightly see how it's done.

I'll say here and now that I wish all these New York "Chamber of Commerce" fans like Mike Bloomberg who root for the Yanks just because it's a Fall Classic in New York would go away and hide. That's almost as cheesy as newscasters who wear team hats on the set. Back in 2000, after watching video of the Mets beat the Cardinals to win the National League Pennant and earn the right to face the Yankees, one newsie said, "I'll put on a Mets cap when they reach the World Series!" Please.

Below is my look at and reasoning for the YANKEES winning in 6 games.

Oh Pedro...38 years old (his birthday was Sunday) and your right back at it like it was just yesterday. Being back at Yankee Stadium will not be something new to you, but who cares, you are PEDRO! I keep arguing with Bobby (producer) who hates that Pedro is Phillies' Game 2 starter. I say, BRAVO Charlie Manuel. If Pedro is anything like he was in his start against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS ( 7 I, 2 H, 0 ER), then there is a shot, the masterful, calm and focused pitcher can keep the Yankees bats at bay and get the Phillies a win in the Bronx.

I respect Pedro's grit and guts as a TRUE athlete. He just produces. Come on, I know many of you thought "there's no way another team will pick him up unless they are desperate", when the Mets didn't resign him. Sure enough, he ended up (UGH) with the Phillies. Then there were some smirks, I'm sure, when he sat out the first half with injury. Presto...like magic, he is back and better than ever. Unreal! I hope that THAT rubs off on all those younger players. In reading an old blog from Matt E., many of these younger athletes lack the "stuff" that Pedro and CC and Johan possess naturally. Can't wait for Game 2...AJ, watch out...Pedro is hated but uses it for good...you, fall apart. I'm melting....

Here are some numbers on Pedro in the Bronx for you staticians:

0-1, 5.40 ERA in 2 postseason starts at old Yankee stadium

8-4, 2.95 ERA in 16 regular sesaon starts at YS.

The Yanks got an up-close and personal look at why the Phillies made it to the World Series -- namely dominating pitching from Cliff Lee and offense from the power hitting infielder de-jour (Chase Utley tonight, Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins any other game).

While I'm 99% sure the Yanks will win Thursday night and send this thing to Philly tied at a game a piece, I think the Yanks have to be concerned about possibly facing Lee two more times.

I'm not sure what Charlie Manuel's plans are for the rest of the series as far as starting pitching is concerned, but this i know:

The Yankees WILL NOT beat Cliff Lee this series.

Catch my drift here?

The World Series heads to Philly tied at a game a piece after the Yanks' 3-1 win in game two (as was guaranteed in this space....one post below).

Kudos to AJ Burnett for picking up his first career post season win, all the while putting the Yankees on his back until the baseballs finally remembered they're supposed to carry out of the new stadium.

If you've been keeping up with our thought process here on the blog, game two was a must win for the Yanks.....as is every game NOT started by Cliff Lee.

Check game two off the list. Next up, Cole Hamels in a hostile Citizen's Bank Park.

As for tonight's game, we were in the locker room(s) and talked to some of the big shots from the game.

Also, as a BONUS for our loyal Huddle readers, we actually trudged our lazy butts over to the visitor's locker room and stuck a mic in Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins' faces.

So take a listen to what they have to say along with: Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano, Jose Molina and Jerry Hairston Jr.

Enjoy!