ALDS set: CLE-NY, BOS-LA

The Cleveland Indians will be hosting the New York Yankees in the ALDS, which means at least two home games this October. The Indians remained tied with Boston for the best record in the AL. All that is left to be determined is the schedule.

Bring it, LeBron New York.

Playoff thought

While listening to Bill Simmons’s podcast this morning — he is certain that Boston will sweep the Angels (surprise!) and that the Yankees will win three of four against the Indians (of course!) — I had this one recurring thought: the Indians need to face the Angles in the ALCS, and not just because the Tribe is 5-5 against the Angles without playing a single game in Cleveland.

You know what another Boston-New York ALCS means: countless mini features on ESPN and FOX about reversing curses and best all time rivalries and evil empires and fan nations and so on and so forth.

For the love of all things decent and original there cannot be another Red Sox vs Yankees ALCS. It is tired and I have no faith whatsoever in any mainstream media outlet to do a good job in covering the series. Also, it would mean the Yankees winning the series (they are deep inside Boston’s head) and representing the AL in the World Series, which is a deeply depressing thought.

Go Tribe!

TV Highlights: Sept 28-30

Here’s a quick guide to maximizing your weekend sports viewing.

If LeBron weren’t a Cav

If LeBron weren’t a Cav I do not think I’d like him that much. In fact, I think I’d be one of his biggest detractors. Sure, he’s an outstanding player on the court (though he can’t make free throws or an open jumper with any consistency). But off the court he’s something less than spectacular. First there was the whole Darfur silence/pleading ignorance, which is pretty crummy, and now there is this:

Q: You congratulated the Indians for making the playoffs during the NBC conference call, but who wins a playoff between Indians and Yankees?

A: The Yankees. I know a lot of people might not like hearing me say that, but I think everyone knows I’ve been a Yankee fan my whole life. They have to deal with it.

I know that LeBron has been professing to be a Yankees fan for a few years now and I know that he has never lived in New York City. What you’ve got when you put these facts together is the worst kind of sports fan.