ALDS predictions...

[Ender]

I expected the Twins to win at least 1 game at home, but figured the Yankees in 4.

The Yankees just significantly overmatch the Twins in 7/9 positions, and have an ace pitcher in CC. People were hoping Peditte would still pitch bad since he was struggling at the end of the season, but they forget that he is like 19-8 in the post season and historically one of the best post season pitchers ever to play the game.

I don't know what it is, but the Yankees always dramatically increase their caliber of play in the postseason, while the Twins continually do not perform nearly to their potential.

People are blaming the management, and maybe to a small degree that is warranted since it is the managements job to prepare the players, get them motivated, and lead them to win games. But, it is not bad management when your players just don't get it done on the field. I heard some ridiculous stats on the radio today, and one of them was that the Twins in their last 5 post season appearances are batting .240 collectively. That is TERRIBLE, and will never win postseason games. They were batting probably close to .300 collectively in the regular season, which would win postseason games.

There are two things this ball club still lacks: An ace pitcher (they have not had one since Santana), and power. Did they have more power this year than past years with Thome? No. Why? Because Mauer only hit 9 homeruns and Morneau was out 3/4 of the season including the playoffs. Thome did a pretty good job of making up for some of that, and Young certainly helped too. But they did not IMPROVE in this category, and they need to in order to beat the Yankees. Think of what this ball club would be like if they had someone like Bautista in the lineup on top of Young, Mauer, Morneau, and Thome (maybe not another season for him though). Then, you are talking about matching up with the Yankees bats.

I hope they figure out something for next year with 11 free agents, but something tells me that this situation will get worse before it gets better. This ball club needs to change its attitude though. No more midnight champagne celebrations when you clinch a playoff spot 2 weeks before the end of the season... that should be an expectation and business as usual, not your ultimate goal. They need to carry over their focus and determination into the playoffs in order to beat anyone besides the White Sux or pathetic Royals.