I must admit I don't know why you would start the Twins-Oakland game at 1 PM EDT when you have the Mets playing on the east coast. I know the overall ratings will be better this way, but a four PM EDT start allows more Twins fans to see a game and Oakland fans to take a late lunch at a sports bar. The two teams take the field for game 2 this afternoon (or morning) as Esteban Loaiza faces Boof Bonser. Loaiza's post-season experience is brief, but he's only allowed 2.35 ERA in 15 1/3 innings, mostly in relief. One thing working in the Twins favor today is that Loaiza did not pitch well away from Oakland this season, posting a 4-6 record and a 6.08 ERA. He was roughed for six runs in four innings at the Metrodome in April. He's 3-7 at the park in his career with a 5.66 ERA. Boof is making his post-season debut. One of Boof's strengths this season was his ability to get out lefties. With four lefties in the Oakland lineup, that could work in Boof's favor.

The Dodgers and Mets get underway at four PM EDT, but we don't know the identity of the Mets starter yet. Derek Lowe takes on either Orlando Hernandez or John Maine. Lowe pitched the Dodgers to the playoffs down the stretch, going 8-1 with a 2.39 ERA after August 1st. Lowe epitomizes the Dodgers staff; they allow hits but minimize the damage with few walks.

Hernandez and Maine are comparable pitchers. If you look at their time with the Mets, Hernandez posted better strikeout and home run numbers, but Main walked fewer. Fewer ball in play resulted in his for Maine, however. Orlando allowed a .236 batting average, Maine .211.

The Tigers and Yankees have something old and something new going in tonight's game. Rookie of the Year candidate Justin Verlander opposes grizzled veteran Mike Mussina. This will be the eighth post season for Mike. He's only 7-7, but he's suffered from poor run support. He's allowed 50 runs in the playoffs, 47 earned, good for a 3.30 ERA. His teams, however, only scored 51 times with him on the mound. In 128 innings, he's struck out 137 and walked just 29, impressive number for any stretch of that length.

Verlander got off to a terrific start, going 10-4 before the All-Star break. But he became hittable after. His batting average allowed in the first half was .241. After the break it was .300 as the league learned more about him. One of his poor starts in the first half came against New York as they scored six runs in five innings on seven hits and four walks.

Enjoy!