MLB PLAYOFFS: DAY 3 PREVIEW

DETROIT @ EVIL EMPIRE (1-0), 1PM ESPN

Wouldn't you know it, that seemingly harmless little rain delay/postponement last night of Game 2 at Stankee Stadium has a little controversy brewing behind it. Smokey Jim Leyland and Tiger starter Justin Verlander were none too happy about the way MLB, and/or the Stanks, treated the rain out situation; after a near 2 hour delay the Tigers were told that they would get the game underway at 10:00. Verlander went out to the outfield to warm up, and other Tigers took the field as the tarp was removed. But a funny thing happened on the way to "play ball"- the league decided to call the game due to the fact that heavy rains were expected later, although it wasn't even raining at the time. The entire night it hardly rained at all.

So why was Verlander warming up when Stankee starter Mike Mousse-ina was probably in the clubhouse ripping into an attendant for not having his shoes polished right? Nobody knows. Just one of those 'quirky' things that happen to opposing clubs when they visit that quaint staduim in the heart of the Bronx. It's called TEAMS GET SCREWED.

GAME 2 Prediction: a pissed-off Verlander (17-9) comes out guns blazin' and strikes out every member of the Murder's Row '06 lineup through 3 innings. Unfortunately his already tired arm falls off on the mound, Smokey is forced to go to his pen, and the Empire smacks 14 consecutive hits, including back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers by Abreu, Giambi, Sheff, ERod and Matsui and win the game 17-4.

ST. LOUIS (1-0) @ SAN DIEGO, 4P, ESPN

The Padres need this one badly, because they MOST DEFINITELY do not want to go back to rabid St. Louie down 2-0. So it's a good thing they have Mr. Playoffs, Boomer Wells, pitching for them (Padre fans send your thank you cards to Mr. Epstein, Theo.) The only thing Boomer does better than eat is...well drink. But the thing he does almost as good as those two things is pitch well in the playoffs: Wells is 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 120 playoff innings, including his memorable '98 postseason with the Stanks, when he went 4-0. In other words, on a staff filled with green youngsters and washed-up veterans, Boomer gives the Pads their best shot at heading to St.L tied up at one. Plus the Cards have Jeff Weaver (8-14, 5.76) going for them.

Remember, Boomer- pitch around Albert. All the time.

"Dude, you're totally wasting that!"

Game 2 Prediction: Boomer goes out and gives another herculean effort, pitching 7 scoreless innings and leaving with the lead, 2-0 because he walked Pujols 3 times. But the bully breaks down again, as both Cla Meredith and Trevor Hoffman, who have both been victimized by Phat Albert in the recently, give up jacks to him in the 8th and 9th and the Cards win 6-2. If only Boomer was still pitching drunk!

Kidding. Pads win, 3-2 and even it up.

IF THEY DON"T PITCH TO ALBERT!