Baseball Playoff thoughts.....

We aren't even done with both League Championship Series, and already this has been a baseball playoff "season" full of head scratching / you got to be kidding me moments.

- Jonathan Papelbon who has not given up a run in 27 previous playoff innings, gives up 3 runs in the top of the ninth that allows the Angels to win the game and sweep the series.
- In Game 3 of the ALCS, Joe Girardi takes one right handed reliever (David Robertson) out of the game for another right handed reliever (Alfredo Aceves) with 2 out and nobody on in the bottom of the 11th, because he "throws different stuff". Two batters and two hits later, the Angels win the game, and get life.
- Game 2 of the NLDS, Matt Holiday drops a fly ball with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Cardinals leading 2-1. Two batters later, the Dodgers finish the comeback and win the game 3-2.
- Last night in Game 5 of the ALCS, up by a run in the top of the 9th with 2 outs and nobody on, Angels manager Mike Scioscia calls for an intentional walk of Alex Rodriguez. Brian Fuentes then walks Hideki Matsui before hitting Robinson Cano to load the bases, before finally ending the game by getting Nick Swisher to pop up a 3-2 pitch.
- After the above-mentioned IW to Rodriguez, Joe Girardi decides to take Rodriguez, the best player in the game and who stole 14 bases during the year, out for a pinch runner. What does Girardi do if the Yankees tied it up and the game went extra innings. Would he have done the same if it was Derek Jeter?

Also last night, Major League Baseball has decided to put the best and most experiences umpires out there for the World Series. Really? What a novel idea. After the embarassment of umpire errors this post season (including the terrible foul ball call against the Twins in Game 2 of the ALDS, by an umpire who was only there to call fair or foul balls), at least MLB is doing something to address the situation. It is not expanded instant replay, but it is a start.

Still at least one more game in the LCS round and a full World Series to go, so I'm looking forward to what else this post season will have for us.

What are your thoughts about what has gone on this post season? What has made you yell at the TV?