Eight teams have a dream. Which one will realize it? Let’s break down the numbers.
New York Yankees
Record: 103-59, 1st in AL East
Payroll (as of Opening Day 2009): $201,449,289, 1st in MLB
Avg. salary: $7,748,050, 1st in MLB
Run differential: +162, 2nd in MLB
Reason to believe: This lineup could give the ’27 Yankees a run for the money. The 2009 pinstripes averaged 5.6 runs per game, and seven players hit 20 home runs. Only Derek Jeter (18) and Melky Cabrera (13) fell short.
Shadow of doubt: Their starting rotation isn’t a sure thing. CC Sabathia has a 7.92 career postseason ERA. A.J. Burnett is a playoff rookie. And Andy Pettitte is 87 years old.
Will win it all if … they keep making George Steinbrenner proud and playing like they have nothing to lose.
Boston Red Sox
Record: 95-67, 2nd in AL East
Payroll: $122,696,000, 4th in MLB
Avg. salary: $4,089,867, 6th in MLB
Run differential: +136, 3rd in MLB
Reason to believe: Jon Lester and Josh Beckett are the best 1-2 starting punch in baseball, and Boston’s offense can be as explosive as 100 tons of munitions.
Shadow of doubt: Their split personality makes Jekyll and Hyde look like a Zen Buddhist.
Will win it all if … everyone brings their A game to the park from now until November.
Los Angeles Angels
Record: 97-65, 1st in AL West
Payroll: $113,709,000, 6th in MLB
Avg. salary: $4,061,036, 7th in MLB
Run differential: +122, 4th in MLB
Reason to believe: Bobby Abreu’s patient approach has rubbed off on the Angels, who scored more runs during the regular season than any team except the Yankees.
Shadow of doubt: Opposing batters hit .270 off Halo relievers, the second-highest BAA of any bullpen in the Show.
Will win it all if … the breaks go their way, and Vladimir Guerrero takes the Rally Monkey off his back.
Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 93-69, 1st in NL East
Payroll: $113,004,048, 7th in MLB
Avg. salary: $4,185,335, 4th in MLB
Run differential: +111, 5th in MLB
Reason to believe: The champs are still hungry.
Shadow of doubt: Only the Orioles (218) and Brewers (207) gave up fewer home runs than the Phillies (189).
Will win it all if … Brad Lidge turns into Tug McGraw.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 95-67, 1st in NL West
Payroll: $100,458,101, 9th in MLB
Avg. salary: $4,018,324, 8th in MLB
Run differential: +169, 1st in MLB
Reason to believe: Joe Torre knows a thing or two about managing under pressure.
Shadow of doubt: The Dodgers followed up a 56-32 first half with a 39-35 mark after the All-Star break and almost lost the NL West.
Will win it all if … Manny Ramirez flips the hero switch, and their starting rotation pitches like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser.
St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 91-71, 1st in NL Central
Payroll: $88,528,411, 13th in MLB
Avg. salary: $3,278,830, 13th in MLB
Run differential: +90, 7th in MLB
Reason to believe: Albert Pujols is the scariest hitter on the planet, and Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter are lights-out on the mound.
Shadow of doubt: Their defense isn’t always airtight. The Cards committed more errors (96) than any team still playing.
Will win it all if … Yadier Molina’s sore knee isn’t a liability.
Colorado Rockies
Record: 92-70, 2nd in NL West
Payroll: $75,201,000, 18th in MLB
Avg. salary: $2,785,222, 19th in MLB
Run differential: +89, 8th in MLB
Reason to believe: They have destiny on their side — just like they did in 2007. But this time around, the Rockies also have playoff experience.
Shadow of doubt: Closer Huston Street had a 5.79 ERA in August and a 4.05 ERA in September.
Will win it all if … every player is as clutch as Troy Tulowitzki.
Minnesota Twins
Record: 87-76, 1st in AL Central
Payroll: $65,299,267, 24th in MLB
Avg. salary: $2,251,697, 24th in MLB
Run differential: +52, 9th in MLB
Reason to believe: The Twins won 17 of their last 21 games to reach the postseason and knocked out the team with the fifth-highest payroll in baseball in the process.
Shadow of doubt: By the time the Twins sober up from their miracle finish, they could be running on empty.
Will win it all if … they remember to pack extra slingshots.
