MLB Playoffs Are Damp, Even Without the Rain

Photo courtesy of the Washington Post

The raindrops are pouring in the Midwest tonight as the Giants and Cardinals are in a rain delay that has cut into a new episode of The X Factor, and the Tigers have to wait an extra day to try and sweep a depleted Yankees team to take the American League pennant on TBS, which is staying funny with Seinfeld and The Big Bang Theory tonight instead of Game 4.

While you hold out for the final few innings of Game 3 of the NLCS, think about this. If you are not a fan of any of the four remaining clubs, has the postseason lost part of its excitement as we entered the Championship series matchups last weekend?

The ALDS and NLDS games provided a lot more for baseball fans. You had two squads that weren't even considered for the fall with the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. "Moneyball II" was in production out in Oakland with the Athletics taking the American League West title from the Rangers and the Reds blew a 2-0 series lead to the Giants by losing three straight at home.

The current matchups do not offer many great story lines other than Ibanez and A-Rod (Yankees stealing the headlines even when they're losing). Three of the four teams have won the World Series in the last three years, and wouldn't you say that it's just the same old, same old with Major League baseball? The idea that higher payrolls are competing for the world title again turns some off. It would've been nice to see the Nationals or Orioles advance. It could offer that low-payroll squad like the Rays in 2008 or the Marlins 1997 and 2003 World Series teams to generate more excitement and in other words, viewers.

If the Tigers can finish off the Yankees, that will offer us a team that hasn't won one of the three previous World Series. Detroit did made the big show in 2006 when the Cardinals beat them in five games. At least Justin Verlander is exciting, right?