After six long months and 162 grueling games (not including spring training) the Major League Baseball playoffs are finally once again upon us. The competition has been whittled away to the cream of the crop and now only the guys who have strung together enough consistency, heart, and luck over the last half year are facing off head to head. Only one more month watching baseball and then it’s on to basketball season and things have already gotten off to a hot start.

First of all, big ups to Philadelphia Philly Roy Halladay. The guy hurled his second no hitter of the season and the first playoff no-no since Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Mercenary ace Cliff Lee also showed up and did his thing in game one for the Rangers against Tampa Bay. Lee gave up only one run in seven innings and struck out ten batters. These were then followed up on Thursday night with Tim Lincecum’s two hit, fourteen K performance in the Giants opening game against the NL wild card Atlanta Braves. Viva la smallball!

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The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes: Tino Martinez and Ray Romano

In the top of the 5^th inning in Game 2 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays, Michael Young checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch(yes, we all know that he went) before connecting for a 3-R HR on the next pitch from Dan Wheeler.  While there will undoubtedly be an ongoing argument for instant replay after we are beaten senseless with the slow-mo replay of Young’s swing, there will be little talk regarding the Rangers profanity-laced, dugout celebration.

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On Wednesday, Cliff Lee improved his playoff record to 5-0 with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS.  Sure it wasn’t a no-no like Doc’s, but Lee’s performance was nothing short of dominant as he surrendered 1 ER on 5 hits, walking none and striking out 10 in 7 innings of work.

Here are a few notes from his start on Wednesday:

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In baseball, the term “sure thing” is one that is seldom used, especially when predicting the success of a pitcher.  However, after Roy Halladay’s no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday afternoon, we all need to seriously consider whether he is worthy of such a label.

What else can be said about Roy Halladay? This is what he does.  Each and every time that he takes the mound, everyone that is either involved in or watching the game almost assumes that Halladay will be…well, Roy Halladay.

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