Some notes:

• Why isn't Phil Garner being talked about the same way Jack McKeon was last year? Did he not take over a scuttling team and turn them into a playoff team? I know the Astros had higher expectations but still.
• Can the media please stop the bashing the Dodgers and "the trade." According to most of them, the Dodgers wouldn't have won the pennant as they lost their, "heart and soul" in Paul LoDuca. Now the Dodgers are in and the Marlins are out. Who hit the game winning HR to get LA in? You bet yeah, Steve Finley. Goes to show the chemistry/clubhouse stuff is normally something that doesn't hold water.
• The Yankees are making a mistake if they put Jason Giambi on the playoff roster. He has hardly played all year and hasn't hit since he came back. His spot should go to someone else. That's not too mention the possible issues with Kevin Brown, Orlando Hernandez and Javier Vazquez. If the starter falter early? Who is going to get the ball to their lights out end of the game bullpen? Tanyon Sturtze???
• Can we stop talking about the Sox and their "changed defense" as to why they made the playoffs. Didn't they play most of the year with the spectacular Pokey Reese on SS? And, how much has Doug Mientkiewicz played at first base? Kevin Millar has been getting most of the starts. Don't buy the defense garbage (don't buy all the snap shot numbers on their defense either. Can we say sample size???). The reason they are in the playoffs is that their pitching has been great as well as their hitting.
• Speaking of the Sox. Why isn't anyone concerned over Keith Foulke? He hasn't been very good lately. Is it because he's a capital '"C" closer? Last years Timlin, Williamson, Embree bullpen was pitching better than this years version. Close games are won and lost by the bullpen, I don't know if the Sox have what it takes.
• Speaking of closers (OK enough "speaking of" lines Ty). Why hasn't anyone brought up the fact the A's got the wrong guy in the Beltran deal? Brad Lidge has been lights out in Houston. Was he not available? Did Billy Beane fall into the "proven closer" trap? Was he 100% not available? Why didn't anyone talk about this? Dotel hasn't been the pitcher Oakland needed. Lidge has been nasty.
• No Gammons, the A's should not have resigned Tejada and traded Chavez. Look where all that "energy" and club house bravado brought the O's. Let's not forget all the games Chavez missed due to injury. If he was healthy then the A's probably win a couple more games earlier in the season and make the playoffs. The reason the A's are no playing in October is because their starting pitching failed them and the bullpen couldn't pick them up.

Man, I can't wait until tomorrow!