ALCS is Set

The Indians did away with the Yankees last night, which cheered me greatly. That means they will face the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, a best of seven format with the first two games being played at Fenway Park because the Red Sox had a 5-2 winning season over the Indians.

The Indians concern me. They are popping on all cylinders right now. This is not to say that the Red Sox aren't, but as per my previous post, I don't think the Angels were a really good test for them.

Sabathia and Carmona are the two aces of the Indians' staff with Paul Byrd looking very good last night. The Red Sox Josh Beckett is a confidence instiller, and Curt Schilling can mix it up with the best of them, even at 41. It looked as if he finally figured out how not to be a power pitcher the other night, and he worked his repertoire quite well.

But Matsuzaka is still something of a bother. Though he didn't do badly against the Angels, it wasn't a stellar performance. There has to be an adjustment period for him. To be honest, though, I wonder if the Red Sox really got their money's worth. I guess we won't really know until next season or beyond, maybe? He is needed now, and he is needed to revert back to the MVP of the World Baseball Classic form that he displayed before.

There are many on talk radio who are saying that the Red Sox needed to go through the Yankees in order to validate their postseason success. That is because the Yankees had a winning record over the Sox during the season.

I say that's a bunch of hogwash for a couple reasons.

1. The Sox and Yankees aren't the only teams in their leagues or division. Both teams have to validate their standings by defeating everyone, more than losing to them.

2. The Sox, by virtue of clinching the division title, already validated their postseason standings.

3. If the Sox beat Cleveland, then will they not have defeated the Yankees by proxy?

Any team can get hot for a spell, and any team can cool down. That's why you have the Royals beating the Yankees some times. Or the Devil Rays beating the Sox some times. And so on.

The postseason is really all about who is hot and who is not for that stretch of time.

Predictions? Too early to tell. The Indians are clicking, and they will be the real postseason test for the Sox. If I had to guess, I'd say Cleveland in five.

Make that six.

Or seven.

Or something.

No sweep, though.

Here's to October.