It begins Thursday in Cleveland.

The Red Sox clinched the best record in the AL on Saturday and chose option "A" which gives them three days off for the five game series.  The Yanks/Tribe series will have a max of two off days should it go five games.  That means the Yanks will need a fourth starter (unless they sweep) in Round 1.  The "longer" set means that you can use your top two pitchers for four games and teams won't have to use a fourth starter.  If you're a visual guy, the Boston-Angels series breaks down like this:

Wed. at Fenway

Fri. at Fenway

Sun. at Angels

*Mon. at Angels

*Wed. at Fenway

But, I'm more interested in the Yankees schedule.  The Bombers' schedule is as follows:

Thurs. at Jacobs Field

Fri. at Jacobs Field

Sun. at Yankee Stadium

*Mon. at Yankee Stadium

*Wed. at Jacobs Field

*if necessary

The Yankees will give Roger Clemens every opportunity to make the Game 3 start at The Stadium on Sunday.  If he can't go, the ball will probably go to Mike Mussina.  If Clemens is able to make his start and there's a Game 4, it will be interesting to see where Torre goes.  I think he gives the assignment to The Moose either way (Yanks up 2-1 or down 2-1).  Mussina was bombed in his last start, but I think he's regained the manager's trust.  On the other hand, Phil Hughes dominated the Tribe in August and finished up strong.  You can make an argument for both guys, but I don't want to go down there until I must.  It's just wasted energy and I'm a lazy guy.

DF already made his guess on the post-season roster and I've been discussing it with Vinny from Kearny, Bert from Hoboken and my brother so here's my two cents which is worth a lot less than that:

1. C Jorge Posada

2. 1B Doug Meintkiewicz

3. 2B Robinson Cano

4. 3B Alex Rodriguez

5. SS Derek Jeter

6. LF Johnny Damon

7. CF Melky Cabrera

8. RF Bobby Abreu

9. DH Hideki Matsui

10. Jason Giambi

11. Jose Molina

12. Wilson Betemit

13. Bronson Sardinha

14. Shelley Duncan

15. Chien-Ming Wang

16. Andy Pettitte

17. Roger Clemens

18. Mike Mussina

19. Phil Hughes

20. Mariano Rivera

21. Joba Chamberlain

22. Jose Vizcaino

23. Kyle Farnsworth

24. Ron Villone

25. Jose Veras

Should Veras make the the roster?  Not really, but I think he'll make it.  I'm not sure what's going on with Ian Kennedy (back stiffness).  I think the Yanks would put him on the roster if he was a proven commodity, but he isn't.  That's why I think he's out.  I think Sardinha makes it as a pinch-runner and also think Duncan makes it -- and this was before the news that Matsui had his knee drained this weekend.  We should all find out in a few hours what Torre and the Yanks have in mind.

The Yanks edged the Orioles on Saturday night, 11-10, and I would be lying if I told you that I watched more than 30 minutes of this game.  The Bombers notched 10 runs in the fourth inning and Andy Pettitte held on through five horrendous innings to pick up the victory and finished the season at 15-9.

It will be another exhibition on Sunday before the Yanks kickoff the second season.  Sean Henn goes for the Yankees and the O's will send out Brian Burres. 

The only drama for Sunday is to see which player Torre chooses to manage the final regular season game.

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