MLB Network Usually Gets It Right, But Gets It Completely Wrong This Time

Since its debut MLB Network has been one of my favorite channels. They are usually intellegent, knowledgable, and can be counted on for some interesting discussion. Tonight, Harold Reynolds and company were just plain awful.

The playoff series preview for the Yankees vs. the Twins featured some lively discussion. The problem was that the discusssion was based on some horrible reasoning for why either team will win the series.

The first speaker cited the fact that the Yankees beat the Twins in 2003, 2004, and 2009. He said that gives the Twins a "mental block" in the playoffs. He may be right, but if that's true the Twins are a very mentally weak ballclub. Other than Rod Gardenhire, the Twins have four of the players from the 2004 roster on their current team, and one from their 2003 team. If the players on the current team look back at the 2003 and 2004 playoffs and say "oh man, they beat us, we might get beaten again!" they need to get some players with backbones.

2009 was obviously not the same case, but shouldn't losing to a team the year before motivate you more to come out and beat them in your next chance?

Next, Harold Reynolds said "A.J. Burnett will be the key factor for the Yankees in the ALDS." Ok, that's fine Harold. "I guarantee he starts game 2 or 3 for the Yankees." Well, Harold, if you are right on this one, the Yankees are in trouble. Maybe he knows something we don't and someone is hurt or fell off the wagon, but if not, Harold needs to get his facts together.

If you get a chance, check out YES' preview of the playoffs, it features an interview of Kevin Long! Sorry for the late night rant, continue on with whatever you are doing!