On this date in 2007, Joba Chamberlain lost to a hoard of angry midges in Cleveland.

The above are not related, but it does beg the question: What will we see in the 2010 postseason?

It did make me wonder why Dodger Thoughts specifically prohibits commenters from bringing it up, though.

I also have no qualms about continuing to use it offensively anytime the Yankees are being no hit, whether I believe it or not.

It could very well be Tampa, Toronto, NY, Baltimore, Boston at the end of next year. Or if the Yankees get Cliff Lee, it could be NY, Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa Boston. Just a lot more fluid than the past few years.

This Yankee team on paper is certainly better than the Twins, so we can hang our hats on that. In theory the Yanks should prevail but you know what they say about baseball …

I wonder what the Yu Darvish market is going to be like. I think I remember RAB predicting it would be cool (because scouts are saying Darvish resembles… Dice-K).

Montero may be good with the bat, but how are his catching skills and game calling skills. I’d like to see him get some mentoring from Jorge — but would Jorge like that, essentially being the DH while grooming his heir, and then keeping Frankie as BUC (with essentially a 3 catcher roster).

I’m not saying the Yankees are out of it next year, just that there is a real possibility that they will be. The past decade plus I’ve always assumed the Yankees would make the playoffs. I’m just not that sure for next year.

I mean, “errmph…”

[3] Check your bedsheets, it could end up being IBS (Irritable Burnett Syndrome)

Yeah, this could be it for a little while, but it could also be it for some other East teams; Kay insists that Tampa will be broken up because they can’t afford to extend payroll, Boston is a crapshoot in itself and Toronto is what it is: a free-swinging team with so-so pitching except against the Yanks. Could we live with a possibly dominant Baltimore? Will Cliff Lee and maybe Crawford make that much of a difference for us if we get them? And wtf, somebody’s gonna want AJ…

If the Yankees make one key move or two, I see no reason why can’t maintain their status. With Swish, Gardner, Tex, Cano and Granderson, the Yanks have a core on the right side of 35, and Arod doesn’t look like he is ready to fade just yet. Jeter and Posada are a concern, but with Montero waiting in the wings, the Yanks could be grooming another crop of young players to take their place.

It’s too soon to look ahead, but one starter and one bat could be all the Yanks need to enter 2010 as favorites.

I couldn’t disagree with the above statement any more, but apparently, it seems to be a prevalent sentiment. Maybe I am just out of touch (or not in touch with other diversions), but I greatly enjoy every moment of the baseball season, from the pitchers and catchers reporting to the last out of the World Series. Although some segments of the season may matter more in terms of importance, I think they all matter equally in terms of the “fan experience”, which is why the Yankees approach this September left me a little uneasy.

As excited as I am for tonight’s game, I can’t really say it means more to me then when I was sitting at Steinbrenner Field earlier this Spring. Obviously, there is more pressure and a desire to see them win tonight, but ultimately, both days are a chance to interact with the game of baseball.

And not only with the uncertainty of the roster, Boston will probably be better next year, Crawford-less Tampa will still have a good rotation, Toronto is a solid team, and Buck is going to have the Orioles be better. AL East could have all five teams be at least .500.