Maybe they're just trying to make me look bad but both one seeds (Washington and the Yankees) have turned themselves into wild cards, facing elimination in one game. Plus, the scheduling advantage that gave them an extra day of rest after the regular season turns into a disadvantage for the Yankees because now even if they win they will have no rest before starting round two tomorrow, Saturday. The National Conference starts round two a day later on Sunday.
The Yankees especially have wasted a golden opportunity. They will waste their ace, CC Sabathia, in game five today against Baltimore rather than have him rested to start game one in round two. Plus, the winner today may deplete its bullpen and even some other starting pitchers as it will be all hands on deck. This is exactly why I think that the wild card winner is and will be at a big disadvantage in round one.
Washington chose to shut down its ace, Stephen Strasburg, so its situation is atypical. Detroit has the number one tournament stud, horse, ace, whatever: Justin Verlander. He just pitched yesterday in Detroit's game five win in Oakland, throwing a complete game shutout. So he is not available to start game one Saturday but he will be one game ahead of the Yankees CC Sabathia should the Yankees defeat the aceless Orioles. Sabathia is clearly the number two stud, horse, ace, whatever, in the tournament.
Baltimore better bring its mirrors today having won two games while scoring only nine runs and with Nate McLouth doing an amazing imitation of Barry Bonds.
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