Here it is sports fans, the most exciting time of year has finally arrived!

Its the start of Major League Baseballs postseason play. Where else would you go to get the latest news and opinions but @majorleaguenews on Steemit?

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Twins vs. Yankees, AL Wild Card Game

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 3

First Pitch Time: 8:09 p.m. ET
Location: Yankee Stadium -- New York
Starting Pitchers: Ervin Santana (16-8) vs. Luis Severino (14-6)

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To see who gets the honor of playing the red hot Cleveland Indians, first we have to get the AL Wildcard over with. These two teams are in an exciting shootout where only one team can move on, they've played 162 games and their hopes all come down to one match!

I really enjoy the postseason so much more since the advent of the wildcard position. Its a shame everything rests on one game but it makes for tense nail biting action, lets dive in..

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NY Yankees

The Yankees are sending 23 year old Luis Severino to the mound with their playoff hopes resting squarely on the kids shoulders. Severino had a great season and is the their best choice in what is a battered and mediocre rotation. The kids mature and very well composed for this being his first full big league season. Hes gone 14-6 with a respectable 2.98 ERA. In 153 innings of work he finished the year with an impressive 230 strikeouts. Clearly he's the Yanks best choice for today's match.

The Yankees can score runs in a hurry thanks to their lineup starring a pair of rookie standouts, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. They're deep 1-9 in the order and the Bronx Bombers finished the regular season second in runs scored and 1st overall in homeruns. The offense has been carrying the below average pitching all year and it will have to be on par today if the Yankees want to move on.

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Minnesota Twins

The Twinkies are sending veteran SP Ervin Santana to the bump. A career year saw Santana go 16-8 on the year. Hes more of a contact pitcher and doesn't have the same ability to fan batters as Severino but his experience may come into play. Hes going to have to have a near flawless game to keep Minnesota in this one. In 211 innings worth of work Santana struck out 153 batters in 211 innings worth of work. His 3.28 ERA should tell you he's going to have to be better than the Yankees starter has been on average this season. Ervin Santana has his work cut out for him today though against the Yankees powerful bats.

The Twins lineup is decent at manufacturing runs, they don't have the same power as the Yankees but few teams do. Minnesota only had 20 less hits then the Yanks all year and they run better. They're going to have to get on base today and play a more small ball type of game if they're going to beat their opponent and go on to face the Indians.

After not making the playoffs last year and losing 100 games they find their-selves fighting for a postseason birth all year. The future is bright for the Twins so even with a loss today I don't think Twins fans can be too disappointed with the club. Paul Molitor should get Manager of the year awards in my opinion for turning this group around and finding ways to get the best out of a younger more inexperienced club.

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Prediction Time

The Yankees have everything in their favor. They hit better, for more power and they're at home. I think Severino is the better of the two starting pitchers and the Yankees have far and away the best bull pen. Severino just has to get the Yankees to the 6th inning with a lead and the Yankees flame throwing relievers will come in and shut it down. Im not sure many would pick the underdog Twins to win this game? That being said..

They still have to play the game of course but I think I can easily predict a Yankees win here. My prediction is Yankees win today 5-2 and then NYY will be moving on to face the Cleveland Indians in what will be a terrific series.

Thanks for reading sports fans, keep it locked here for more reviews, predictions and opinions!

@majorleaguenews

*All Images courtesy of The Sporting News