Unfortunately, due to the scheduling of the games, at one point we were flipping between three different contests, and most of the New York/Anaheim and Atlanta/San Francisco games overlapped.

Oakland and Minnesota once again led off the day. Doug Mientkiewicz evidently made a proclamation after the Twins' loss on Friday that Minnesota would force a fifth game to prevent the A's from celebrating a Division Series win in the Metrodome. Oakland drew first blood when Miguel Tejada hit a two-run homer in the third. However the Twins put together several hits in the bottom of the inning and tied the game at two. In the bottom of the fourth Minnesota broke out to a big lead with a seven run inning; they would score two more in the bottom of the seventh, but the A's would not score again. Mientkiewicz played a big part in the win with several good defensive plays and a two-run homer. As in Game One, Tim Hudson was unable to stop the Twins' offense and Ted Lilly compounded the problem in relief.

San Francisco scored on the Braves in the first inning, and while Atlanta tied the game in the third, a pitchers' duel dominated the first five innings. Jason Schmidt then walked the bases load in the sixth. Dusty Baker replaced him with Manny Aybar to induce a double play, but the move backfired when Aybar allowed a single that scored two runs, followed by a Keith Lockhart homer to clear the bases. Regardless of whatever skill Aybar might have in forcing double plays, he shouldn't have been on the mound in that situation. The Giants needed to get outs, and allowing one run wouldn't have been disastrous since San Francisco fields a much better offense than Atlanta. As it happened, they let the weakest offense in the playoffs bury them. Barry Bonds is vying for the Sammy Sosa Meaningless Homer Award, as his solo shot in the sixth provided Giants' fans with little consolation in the face of the eight-run loss.

The red and white Korean thunder sticks were out in force in Anaheim. Jarrod Washburn, pitching on three days rest, again held down the Yankees before passing the game to the bullpen in the sixth. David Wells pitched well until hitting a wall after allowing a leadoff homer to Shawn Wooten in the fifth inning. Anaheim scored eight runs in that inning.

While the Yankees whittled away at the Anaheim lead, scoring a run in the top of both the sixth and the seventh, by the seventh inning stretch we were discussing what moves Yankee owner George Steinbrenner would make if New York exited the playoffs in the first round. We were certain they were finished after Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi made the first two outs of the ninth inning. However once Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada both singled, there seemed to be an opening if Nick Johnson could get on base. The announcers pointed out that Robin Ventura, swinging in the on-deck circle, is the active leader in career grand slams with 16. When Johnson popped out to the shortstop, we agreed that he'd be on a new team by Thanksgiving.

I think the Yankees may overhaul their starting pitching this off-season, looking to add some of the under-30 pitching studs that have dominated across baseball. Ventura may return at third, but they may also choose to pursue someone like Jeff Kent. At this moment I don't believe Steinbrenner's interested in experiencing the growing pains of a rookie third baseman, so Drew Henson will likely receive another year of development time at AAA. I also expect them to pick up a bat for the outfield. Juan Rivera might also be off the team, considering he seemed to make several misplays throughout the series.

Steinbrenner could please two families by instigating a trade of Nick Johnson to Philadelphia for Jeremy Giambi and potentially someone like Placido Polanco. Johnson could still mature into a stud 1B, but Jason Giambi prefers to play 1B, and Jeremy gives the Yankees an excellent developing power hitter to DH. Philly Manager Larry Bowa is Johnson's uncle, and he also fills the gaping need for a young power hitter with good defense to replace Travis Lee.

If Steinbrenner wishes to upgrade in either right or left field, they should discuss a deal with Colorado. One permutation could involve Larry Walker moving to New York, Mondesi or Rondell White heading to the Rockies, and Mike Hampton heading to a third team, perhaps Houston, with New York covering part of Hampton's contract. A significant move of this nature seems logical considering Steinbrenner's need to dominate the headlines in an off-season filled with both major management and player changes on the Mets.

After the game Mike Scioscia told both his team and the media that this was just "one rung up the ladder." The Angels know that the hard part isn't over, but they're prepared to continue fighting. With Washburn not able to pitch until Thursday's Game Three, Scioscia can choose either Kevin Appier or Ramon Ortiz. Considering I expect him to run John Lackey in Game Four, I see no reason not to stay consistent with his Division Series' rotation by deploying the veteran Appier in Game One.

St. Louis was another sea of red. Arizona took its first steps towards losing the Division Series before the start of the playoffs when Bob Brenly decided that Rick Helling would work out of the pen despite never pitching a single game in relief over the last five seasons.

In two previous post-season starts, both against the Yankees, Helling compiled an 0-2 record and 3.66 ERA despite an outstanding 17:2 K:BB in 12.1 IP with only 13 hits allowed. Last year, Batista posted a 1-1 record and 2.49 ERA in six games although he only compiled a meager 13:8 K:BB in 21.2 IP with 13 hits allowed. Miguel Batista didn't even pitch as well as Helling this year and also has experience relieving, making him a better choice for the pen. While Helling struggled at times this season, the Diamondbacks needed someone to dominate the Cardinals, and Helling is more likely to fulfill that request than Batista even though neither pitcher owns an impressive strikeout rate.

The Cardinals' starting situation was also a bit tenuous, but Andy Benes managed to pitch almost five innings, which was sufficient to get the game to the bullpen. Arizona never recovered from the harm inflicted upon Batista, and then Byung-Hyun Kim cushioned the St. Louis lead with two additional runs in the bottom of the eighth.

For the second time in the series, Albert Pujols made an outstanding throw to the plate from left field that saved a run. Miguel Cairo again replaced Scott Rolen at third base and provided the most stunning performance of the game. Cairo singled in his first at-bat. In his second plate appearance, Batista hit him with a pitch. Cairo then worked his way over to third on a single by Mike Matheny, allowing him to score on a sacrifice by Benes. He singled again in his third at-bat and doubled in a run in his last trip to the plate, later scoring himself on a Kerry Robinson single. If Cairo even can approach this level of play in the NLCS, the Cardinals should match up favorably with either Atlanta or San Francisco.