Even with expanded playoffs and divisions with no boundaries, the 2025 postseason opens with some traditional rivalries. The Red Sox visit the Yankees for a best of three series in NYC, the Reds head to L.A to renew an NL West rivalry. Closer to home the Tigers face Cleveland at Progressive and the Padres are in Chicago replaying the 1984 NLCS.

Even fans of the road teams agree that the current system is better than the one-game, winner takes all, wild card system. However, I’m not so sure this is the best way. Save for my personal preferences, I’m not willing to put any money on the individual series outcomes.

I’ve been listening to and reading the thoughts of the local pundits and have found their explanations are no better than a student for why they didn’t complete an assignment.

And despite the fact I wasn’t able to get to Cleveland today for the game, I’m looking forward to the day’s slate of games-especially the two in the afternoon. Having afternoon playoff baseball harkens back to my youth-specifically to the first playoffs that I had a real personal interest in.

The Cubs reached the postseason in my lifetime in 1984 when I was a college sophomore. I didn’t have to sneak a transistor radio into a class because I only took morning classes, but I did have to seek out a color TV. I have the fondest memories of that first game when the Cubs trounced the Padres 13-0. Aside from the particulars of the box score, I remember my Dad and his oldest friend attending the game. Suffice to say, I had to wait for him to get home before I could get his personal account of the afternoon. Were he alive today, I’m not so sure he would have been texting me his thoughts or any pictures of the crowd.

Somehow, the lapse in time didn’t detract from either my enjoyment or anticipation of the news. I expect everyone attending today’s games will be fully invested in the other three games via their mobile devices.

In seeking out advantages, it’s been pointed out that the six games between the Cubs and Padres were played months ago and have little relevance on this series. Yet, I think if the Cubs punch the Flying Friars in the face the way they did 41 years ago, the Cubs will cruise to the next round.

Enjoy the first day of heaven!