MLB Playoffs

The Minnesota Twins have clinched the AL Central and heading into the final week of the regular season they are likely to rest key players such as Jim Thome, Joe Mauer, and Michael Cuddyer.

A first round matchup with the New York Yankees is looking more and more likely with each Yankee loss and Tampa Bay win. 

Which team gives Minnesota the best chance to advance is a discussion for another time. The main focus here is going to be what the Twins need to do in the postseason to ensure they advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2002. 

Here we go...

Part 1 of 7

With the Philadelphia Phillies standing on the precipice of a fourth consecutive postseason berth, the focus of the team and fan base is two-fold. 

First, take care of business and nail down a fourth straight NL East crown. 

Second, take a look towards the end of year championship tourney to see how the Phillies stack up and are positioned for success. 

The American League's playoff field is virtually set. The Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers will duke it out for the right to represent the American League in the World Series. Each team has some key strengths and a few glaring weaknesses. Find out who will represent the American League in the 2010 World Series.

Begin Slideshow

      The New York Yankees are in a slump.  A bad one at that.  However, they are still very much in the hunt.  With their magic number down to 3, and facing the Red Sox, there's a good chance that they will have clinched a playoff spot by the end of the weekend.  With many of the Yankees in their 30's, it's vital that they clinch by the weekend so that they can rest their starters.

The saying goes good pitching beats good hitting. It's actually more than a saying. It's a reality. If you have a dominant pitcher on his game, there is not a hitter on the planet that can hit him.

Painting the black. Hitting your spots. Changing speeds.

It is something the Giants pitching staff has done very well for the past 18 games. They have not allowed more than three runs in a game since September 4.

There has been some argument the past couple of years whether baseball should expand their playoff format.

The argument being that very few teams are in the playoffs and often times half the teams are out by the All-Star break, meaning that half the fans have little to no interest in baseball any longer.

So would it help if baseball decided to expand the playoffs from 8 teams to let’s say 12 or possibly 16? Well, how about we lay out a format for two potential different playoff systems.

The Yankees have seemingly been stuck in the mud as of late. Despite remaining one of the best teams in all of Major League Baseball, they have unarguably had a rough September.

Following tonight's loss to the Red Sox, the Yankees have compiled a 10-12 record this September. Hand in hand with that 10-12 record are year-worst performances in pitching and hitting.

There is no professional sports league in which it is tougher for a franchise to reach the postseason than Major League Baseball. Making the postseason in baseball is a true accomplishment for any team, even for the Yankees and their $206 million payroll.

The Minnesota Twins have won their sixth divisional title. This is Ron Gardenhire's sixth title in nine years as the manager of the Twins.

Currently sitting at 92-60, the Twins have the best record in baseball. At 8-2 over the past 10 games, the Twins have been the hottest team in the American League since the All-Star break.

This is the 12th time in Twins history they have exceeded 90 wins. Incredibly for Gardenhire, this is the fifth time he has accomplished it.

The playoff picture in the American League is all but set, with the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers simply dotting the eyes and crossing the tees on their way to October. 

There is a little drama left in the National League, as the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres battle it out with the Atlanta Braves for the NL wild card and the NL West division title.