SCOTT JACOBS

10 years after arguably the most unbelievable World Series ever played, Arizona and New York are both back in the playoffs.  But is a second date with destiny in the cards? Or maybe Texas, which came so close to its first World Series crown, gets one for Texas?  What about Detroit?  They were in the Fall Classic back in 2006.  So was St. Louis, but those two teams have a far different look now.  Tampa Bay is starting a rookie in game 1, can they take their incredible luck into the playoffs and ride it into an improbable championship?  Philly spent the money and they have the staff.  It’s championship or bust for the Fighting Phils.  Milwaukee is fighting the free agency clock as they look for their first playoff series win since the 80s.  And the Diamondbacks, fresh off one of the most unlikely worst-to-first finishes in recent memory, look to take their never say die attitude and ride their magic carpet as far as it will take them.

The playoffs start today.  Here’s our Juiced Sports staff post-season predictions:

AL Division Series:

Scott: TEX over TB in 5 / NYY over DET in 4
Mitch: TEX over TB in 5 / NYY over DET in 5
Jim: TEX over TB in 4 / NYY over DET in 5

NL Division Series:

Scott: ARZ over MIL in 4 / PHI over STL in 4
Mitch: ARZ over MIL in 5 / STL over PHI in 4
Jim: MIL over ARZ in 5 / PHI over STL in 4

(Note: The Brewers are the only playoff team to have a losing record on the road, at 39-42).

AL and NL Championship Series:

Scott: TEX over NYY in 7 / PHI over ARZ in 6 
Mitch: NYY over TEX in 7 / ARZ over STL in 7
Jim: NYY over TEX in 6 / PHI over MIL in 5

World Series:

Scott: PHI over TEX in 6 /  MVP: Cliff Lee
Mitch: NYY over ARZ in 6 /  MVP: Robinson Cano
Jim: PHI over NYY in 6  /  MVP: Roy Halladay

Photo: AP

SCOTT JACOBS 

You know the expression, the longer you wait, the more you appreciate something when it finally happens?

Well, the Rays waited.  And waited.  And waited.

And today it happened.

Ten years into the making.

Tampa made the playoffs.

Arguably the worst franchise in pro sports ever since their inception in 1998, the Rays had never finished better than fourth (2004) in the AL East.  They had never sniffed a playoff spot, nevermind won 80 games.

Last year, Tampa fielded the worst record in baseball.

There were few indications that 2008 would be the year they made their run.

There was talent in the fold, but who could have forseen this?  The Rays ditched their Devil monicker, debuted shiny new generic uniforms, and claimed they were starting anew, washing away all those years of bad memories.  I scoffed at the ridiculous notion that a new name and uniforms could change things.

But it was just the tip of the iceberg for Tampa Bay, which brought in some veterans, and called up some of their young studs to the bigs.  Guys like Evan Longoria.

People expected them to improve.  It’s hard not to when you finish with the worst record in the bigs, but who could have forseen this?  Eclipsing the Yankees and the Sox to first place in the East, and clinching a playoff spot in front of a raucous Tropican Field crowd.

By golly, the impossible is no longer a pipe dream.

Tampa Bay, sports’ punching bag for the last 10 years is now one of baseball’s elite.

They have 92 wins.

They have confidence.

They’re not your father’s Devil Rays, the team that couldn’t do anything right.  The team that couldn’t pitch or hit or play defense.  They don’t blow leads.  They don’t get outpitched.

Not anymore at least.

Not this Rays team.

This Rays team is afraid of no one.  This Rays team has a bullpen.  They pitch.  They collect those timely hits with something on the line.  This Rays team wins.

And folks- it wouldn’t surprise me in the least, if this new Rays team went far in the post-season.

Playoffs in October?

Tampa Bay will experience it for the first time.

Do you believe now?

Because the Rays bandwagon is driving away.  And they no longer care if you’re in it.