Neuterrific news

Henry, no one's going to neuter you for being aggressive, don't worry. And congrats on the Brewers making the playoffs.

Nobody's going to bother me for a few hours in the garage, so let's break down the playoffs which begin Wednesday. All games on TBS, times are PST. These are 5-game series.

1. Brewers vs. Phillies, 12 p.m. Wednesday
Yes, C.C. Sabathia should win the MVP for his clutch pitching on not-enough rest and complete-game mastery. Unfortunately, they'll be facing the Phillies in the first game at Citizens Bank Park and that team is looking way past this series and into the World Series. I fear that the Brewers are way too happy just to get in the playoffs to make it any further, and their bullpen is marginal at best. The playoffs are all about relief pitching. Also Ryan Howard has been on fire at the plate in the second half of the season, so watch out Brew Crew.

2. Cubs vs. Dodgers, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday
This is going to be the series to watch. The Cubs have a lot to prove in the first game at Wrigley, and they are trying to break a 100-year curse and win the World Series. Billy goats, black cats and Steve Bartman be damned. I just wonder if the pressure will get to them--also, if you see those flags in center field blowing straight out to Lake Michigan, watch the hell out for Manny Ramirez and any other Dodgers poking line drives off the wall or on to Waveland and Sheffield avenues. Ramirez is a nutjob, but boy, can he hit. He has to be the most exciting hitter in baseball right now, and he's shown that he wants to make a statement in the playoffs. There is talk of changing the HOLLYWOOD sign to MANNYWOOD in L.A., but that's probably just a rumor. If there were an award for best trade of the year, I would nominate Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Since I'm a dog who just learned to type and not a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, I'm probably not eligible to vote. Also, keep an eye on Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. The guy is an animal.

3. Angels vs. Red Sox 7 p.m. Wednesday
I pretty much hate both these teams at this point, but I have to give it to the Angels. Top to bottom they are the best lineup in baseball. Since they clinched their postseason slot like three weeks ago, I wonder how fresh they will be. The Sox have hitters, Josh Beckett is coming off an oblique injury, so he's iffy. I like how he gets pissed and just manhandles hitters though, gotta say. He's got the fire in him.

4. Twins or White Sox vs. Rays, 12 p.m. Thursday
This is some weird stuff, with the White Sox forcing a tiebreaker on Tuesday night. By the time your read this, the White Sox may have sewn it up, or I'm wrong. I predict either team is going to get bent over by the Rays, so who cares.

Any questions? It's really hot in this garage (photo at right). Sometimes I wish I could just take off my fur for a day and be comfortable. Why did I have to be born a wookie?

Jax