Today is the first day of playoffs in Major League Baseball. As it is the season, every professional, semi-professional and rank amateur has advanced who they think will win each series, and how the next month of baseball will turn out, as the competitors have been reduced to eight.

I will advance a different question. As the powers that be have killed the one and only baseball team I have ever cared about, I am left in need of a team to cheer for. Why not begin that look in the 2004 playoffs?

New York Yankees versus the Minnesota Twins

For me this is a no brainer. Tara would disagree with me on this one (sorry sweetie) but I gotta pick the Twins. The Yankees are like Goliath. They are always the favorite and its so nice to see them taken down. Will it happen? It might, as these Yankees are not the same as the ones that obliterated teams in previous years. Nevertheless, my cheering will be directed in favor of the Twins.

Boston Red Sox versus the Anaheim Angels

I'm torn on this one. I like both teams. In direct opposition to why I have to cheer against the Yankees, I must cheer for the Red Sox. They have been a good team at so many times in their history, only to be turned back at the last mile, the victims of the so called 'curse'. I hope they win every time they get to the playoffs.

But I also like the Angels. I know they've won the World Series since their inception, but they still have that veneer of the under-dog. I can feel it, but I can't explain it. When it comes to playoff time, I'm still impressed they made it in, and I can't help but root for them.

This series will be interesting for me.

Houston Astros versus Atlanta Braves

This one is a no-brainer, much like the Yankee series. The Braves do nothing but irritate me. In the first place they have always won the division that my beloved Expos have competed in. Except for 1994 when Major League Baseball and the Players Union conspired to prevent the Expos from winning the World Series, and thus continuing the streak of Canadian teams holding the baseball championship. That particular conspiracy I will elaborate another day. None of that has anything to do with why I hate the Braves. Enough already! Let's get someone else from the NL East into the playoffs.

I did not mean to disregard the reasons for cheering for the Astros. I like the team. They even made me like Roger Clemens, which didn't happen when he played for the Blue Jays. I could easily cheer for the Astros in the World Series final.

St. Louis Cardinals versus Los Angeles Dodgers

This one kinda goes under my radar. I haven't got much of a sentiment for either team. All my thoughts about either team are rooted way back in my childhood history. I could cheer for the Cardinals, but I could similarly cheer for the Dodgers. After a few moments contemplation I still do not know who I like more. Can they tie a series?

Now that I've bored you all, I will go. If you need me, I'll be in front of the TV, checking the score.