GENERAL VIEWS ( 7th Edition )

The first thing I want to look at today is the MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS.

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES has had its moments, Game 1 of the series had the Philadelphia Phillies coming from behind to win 8 to 6 over the LA Dodgers. Game 2 was a pitching duel as the Dodgers won 2 to 1 to even the series at 1 and 1 going to Philadelphia for games 3, 4 and 5. Game 3 was a blowout, as the Phillies behind a great pitching performance by Cliff Lee, battered the Dodgers 11 to 0 to take a 2 games to 1 lead in the series. Game 4 has been the most exciting game of the series to this point, as the Phillies got a two run double with two outs in the bottom of the 9th from Jimmy Rollins to rally his team to a 5 to 4 victory over the Dodgers and a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. Jimmy Rollins was just 3 for 18 in the series to that point, but got his game winning hit off the Dodgers All star closer Jonathan Broxton. In tonight's Game 5 the Phillies will send last season's post season hero Cole Hamels to the mound to see if he can pitch the Phillies to their 2nd consecutive World Series appearance and a chance to repeat as World Champions. The Dodgers will send Vicente Padilla to the mound as he tries to send the series back to Los Angeles. Padilla was a late season acquisition by the Dodgers and came up big as he went 4 and 0 down the stretch. First pitch is scheduled for 8:07 PM.

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES has had its share of drama, Game 1 had the NY Yankees winning 4 to 1 over the LA Angels to take a 1 game to 0 lead in the series. Game 2 had the Yankees winning a dramatic 13 inning game 4 to 3 to take a 2 games to 0 lead as the series shifted to Los Angeles for games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary. Game 3 had the Angels giving the Yankees their first post season loss of this post season, in dramatic fashion, as Jeff Mathis hit a two out double in the bottom of the 11th inning to score Howie Kendrick with the winning run in the Angels 5 to 4 victory. The Angels victory cut the Yankees series lead to 2 games to 1. Game 4 had Alex Rodriguez homering for the 3rd consecutive game and CC Sabathia pitching 8 strong innings as the Yankees pounded the Angels 10 to 1 to take a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the series. Game 5 of the series is scheduled for Thursday night at 8:00 PM. AJ Burnett will pitch for the Yankees and John Lackey for the Angels.

I will be surprised if both Championship Series are not over after both game 5s. I do expect a Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Yankees World Series. This would be a very interesting World Series as the Phillies try for the repeat and the Yankees try for their 27th World Championship.

*******THE ARMCHAIR COACH GAME BALL OF THE WEEK goes to WR SIDNEY RICE of the Minnesota Vikings for his 6 catches for 176 yards, and he also caught a 58 yard completion from Brett Favre to set up the winning field goal against the Ravens to keep the Vikings undefeated on the season.*******

Until Friday.