by Kevin McFarland
Daily Lobo
Casual Major League Baseball fans are notorious for not watching the regular season unless a slugger with muscles of unnatural proportions is putting up home run numbers as large as his biceps.
Well, casual fans, even though Barry Bonds was sidelined for almost all of the season and home-run numbers are down across the league, you might want to flip on the TV a little early this season anyway.
While matchups concerning the average fan usually don't manifest themselves until the postseason, there are a few prominent teams that might make the playoffs this year.
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In the American League East, America's sweetheart and reigning champion, the Boston Red Sox, are tied for the division lead with - surprise, surprise - the Yankees. But here is where it gets interesting. Both teams are behind the Indians in the American League Central, and if Cleveland can hold onto their slim lead, they will deprive either the Red Sox or the Yankees of a playoff spot.
Reputations, bragging rights and jobs are on the line as games come to a close in the next week.
So you can see, Mr. Casual Fan, this is no typical playoff race.
The results of the next week will decide if the Cinderella story that was last year's Red Sox will get a shot at the championship this season. Those results will probably also determine if one of the greatest managers ever, Joe Torre, will have a job with the Yankees next year. Said results will also decide whether George Steinbrenner makes it to see October, or if he literally implodes after his Yankees miss the cut.
Following a season full of steroid accusations and positive tests, baseball is fighting to be relevant at the center of the nation's spotlight with something fans haven't seen in quite some time: a playoff race that matters for teams America cares about.
Which means: This year the playoffs start a week early.
Are you watching yet?
