Why I Want Boston to Win The Wild Card

With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture has been all but set minus two key races. In the NL, the G-men and the Rockies are battling it to see who gets to lose to the Cardinals in the NLDS and in AL, the Wildcard is also still up for grabs. The good news for Jays fans is that we are only 13 or 14 games back. But if you choose not to suspend rational belief and suggest the Jays will make the playoffs, the AL race has come down to the big bad Red Sox and the fresh faced Texas Rangers. And while many people are rooting for underdog Texas to keep this years playoffs interesting, I am rooting for Goliath. This is because in baseball I root for two things - for the Blue Jays and against the Yankees. Texas may be new and interesting, but when it comes down to a playoff series, I want the Red Sox in because the have the best chance at taking down the juggernaut Yankees. This year despite many injuries (Dice-k, JD "I Don't Even Like Baseball" Drew) and subpar preformances (from David Ortiz, John Smoltz, Jason Varitek and even Josh Beckett to some extent) the Red Sox are still in a better position to beat New York. Their pitching is still far better than the Rangers: In the playoffs no one dials it up like Beckett, Jon Lester is emerging as a second ace, and Dice-K is slated to return soon. The bullpen is also much improved with the addition of set up man Billy Wagner as when he is on, can effectively shorten a game to seven innings Offensively, they have enough veterans to steady the ship in high pressure playoff situations and enough younger players (Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youk) to prevent an October fade. While wanting the Yankees out may seem like a selfish personal reason for wanting the BoSox in the playoffs, we will all win because it will lead to better better playoff baseball. As much as I hate them, New York is looking like the best team in the AL right so I want the team with the best chance at taking them down. So until the Yankees are golfing its Go Red Sox and root for the underdog later.