Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
In the postseason, Alex Rodriguez usually fizzles. Not this year. Against the Minnesota Twins, Rodriguez hit .455 with two homers and six RBIs.

Alex Rodriguez - New York Yankees (Image: Zuma Press)

Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers
Manny Ramirez gets the headlines but Andre Ethier was the team’s most important hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ethier hit .500 with two homers and three RBIs.

Bobby Abreu, Los Angeles Angels
In the offseason, Bobby Abreu didn’t garner much interest. However, he’s been huge for the Angels all season. To begin the 2009 baseball postseason, he’s been just as big — as he hit .556 against the Boston Red Sox.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Although he hasn’t hit a homer yet this postseason, Ryan Howard provided many timely hits against the Colorado Rockies. He’s hitting .375 with six RBIs in the playoffs.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hottest Hitters in the 2009 Postseason

When the Red Sox entered the eighth inning with a 5-2 lead, the Angels’ chances didn’t appear to be too great. But, with the Angels trailing by a run in the ninth, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run single to give Los Angeles the lead. Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth to put the Red Sox to bed.

Guerrero finished the contest 2-for-4 with one run and two RBIs, while Bobby Abreu was 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.

The Red Sox have plenty of blame to go around. Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and David Ortiz all hit under .200 for the series.

For the Angels, they now move on to face the New York Yankees for a right to advance to the 2009 World Series.

Bobby Abreu celebrates the sweep of the Red Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Red Sox Swept by Angels

Josh Beckett Suspended (Image: Flickr)

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander wasn’t too pleased with the decision:

“I respect the job they have to do,” said Beckett, “but I don’t agree.”

After the incident, Angels manager Mike Scioscia called for Beckett to be suspended. Once he heard of the suspension, he agreed.

“It makes us feel good that Major League Baseball really supported our position,” said Scioscia, “especially since we were somehow portrayed as the aggressors in that.”

Following the brawl, three members of the Angels were ejected, while no one on the Red Sox was ejected.

Beckett has a 1-1 record after two starts with a 3.46 ERA.

Post from: EveryJoe

Josh Beckett Suspended for Six Games

Playing the role of the “house” today is Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees (Bobby Abreu serves as understudy). Derek Jeter is stepping into the role of the “little people.”

That roundabout analogy describes a bet among the trio of Yanks: Who would tie the knot first? The first to take the pledge till death do us part collects cash from the other two.

Matsui won (he made an altar run the other day). And if we were Jeter, we’d run to the nearest mirror and check for a “Kick Me” sign on our backside. Seriously, Matsui and Abreu had to know this was easy money for one of them.

What are the chances your going to lose to someone whose playboy reputation is a pop culture wink? Remember that Derek Jeter-George Steinbrenner Visa ad that “ended” their feud about the shortstop’s partying ways?

And to think, all those trips to Sin City and he still doesn’t know how to gamble. Apparently it’s true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas . . .

Post from: EveryJoe

Derek Jeter Loses a Bet, Surprising No One