(editor’s note: This was written on Monday October 4th)

As I write this, I’m watching the minor train wreck that is the New York Mets hold a press conference discussing the team’s future. Earlier today, they fired GM Omar Minaya and Manager Jerry Manuel, about two years too late. Minaya was an abhorrent failure in New York as GM. The Mets minor league system is in the bottom 1/3 of MLB and the Major League club isn’t exactly awash in great talent, outside of David Wright, Johan Santana, and amateur boxer Francisco Rodriguez. The Mets developed the nickname “The Mess” this year. And that shouldn’t change in 2011.

Also today, the Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager John Russell. I know nothing about John Russell, but here’s what I do know: Russell was given the “opportunity” to manage an overmatched group of top prospects (Pedro Alvarez), good young players (Andrew McCutchen), failed prospects (Lastings Milledge), and replacement players (Delwyn Young). And that was the good part. The bad part was the Pirates pitching. Zach Duke, Charlie Morton, Jeff Karstens, and Brian Burres all saw a little too much of the pitching mound. The lone bright spot from a pitching standpoint, to me, was James McDonald, who came over from the Dodgers and showed some promise for the future. Sadly, for James and the Pirates and their great fans, he’ll likely be the Opening Day starter in 2011.

But we’re not hear to talk about 2011, are we? We’re here to look ahead to what should be a great postseason.

The American League gives us two interesting matchups. First, we’ve seen Minnesota play the New York Yankees quite a bit in the playoffs. In fact, they’ve met 4 times in the ALDS in the last ten years. But there’s something different about this matchup. First, the Twins have home field advantage. Second, the Yankees pitching is not very good. Third, the Twins have that really pretty new park, Target Field. You know what’s not different? The fact that the Yankees will win this series. Just like they have every other time they’ve played. The difference maker? Clearly the offense. The absence of Justin Morneau from Minnesota’s lineup will hurt them in a way that it didn’t during the regular season. The Yankees took 5 of 7 from the Twins during the regular season. If Minnesota can’t get to CC Sabathia in Game 1, the playoffs won’t be any different. The Yankees doubters will cite the fact that if the season started on August 1, New York would have finished last in the AL East. Those of us who aren’t trying to be contradictory will cite that these are the New York Yankees. Yankees win 3-1.

The other ALDS matchup is far more interesting, because we haven’t seen this one before. In my July “look-ahead” post, I talked about how much I was looking forward to this then potential matchup. “ I’m giddy at the possibility of this series,” I said. Well, I’m still giddy, especially for the first game which gives us the marquee pitching matchup of the DS games: Cliff Lee v. David Price. I expect the Rays to win Game 1. Game 2 is where it gets very interesting, with CJ Wilson facing James Shields and anything can happen from there. Back in July, I said that the Rays would win a very close 3-2 series. I’m going to flip-flop here and give this one to the Rangers, also 3-2. Tampa has struggled in Arlington, Texas over the past two season. If the Rays don’t win the first two at home, they won’t win the series. Rangers win 3-2.

In the National League, our first matchup pits the Phillies and Reds. This series will not be close. The Phillies pitching is way too good for Cincinnati to try to contend with and the Phillies offense is more stacked than the Reds. Philadelphia wins 3-0 in one of those series that is over before your realized it started.

On the other side, we have the Giants and Braves. The thing that jumps out at my first is that we’ll get to see Jason Heyward and Buster Posey square off on the biggest stage of their young, promising careers. I expect both to struggle a bit. I like the Giants in this series because they’re better stocked than Atlanta, who will have to win with an inferior pitching rotation and without Chipper Jones and, more importantly in this, the year 2010, Martin Prado. As always, this comes down to the ability of the road team (Atlanta) to steal a game on the road in the first two. I don’t think the Braves can do that, based on pitching matchups (Lincecum/Cain vs. Lowe/Hanson). Atlanta can take a game at home, but it ultimately won’t make a difference. Don’t expect a lot of runs (think a few 3-1 games). Do expect a Giants win 3-1.

Before I go, I’d like to weigh in on the MLB Regular Season awards.

AL MVP: Josh Hamilton (His numbers, even without the month of September, are the reason why this team is where it is right now.)
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez (It’s not even close. I don’t care about pitcher wins. It’s not 1978 anymore. Let’s take a look at the stats to the right of that pesky “W.” If we do, Hernandez blew away CC Sabathia and David Price).
AL Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz (I’d prefer Brian Matusz if this award was given away for performance in August and September, while ignoring May, June, and July. It isn’t, so Feliz’s solid year closing for Texas wins a cheapy).
AL Manager of the Year: Terry Francona (Maybe I’m biased, but he trotted out a AAA lineup every day and nearly snuck into the playoffs. Sorry Ron Washington.)

NL MVP: Joey Votto (I give it to Votto for his consistent year, leading a division winner, with great production).
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (Adam Wainwright is closer than most are giving him credit for).
NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward (This is the most compelling of the awards. Posey and Heyward put up very similar numbers. Heyward’s WAR is 1.5 better than Posey’s and he played from Day 1, and so I lean him. But Posey is just as deserving. I tend to think they should split the award).
NL Manager of the Year: Bud Black (No contest).