The MLB playoffs are underway, and what a way to start! A good pitching performance by Jeff Francis, a great pitching performance by Brandon Webb and a dominating pitching performance by Josh Beckett.

As a Yankee fan, it pains me beyond belief to write this, but Josh Beckett is the most dominant pitcher in baseball right now. He throws a complete game shutout, strikes out eight and gives up only four hits. At one point, he retired 19 batters in a row.

He has three shutouts in six postseason starts (including his last two appearances) and a 1.74 playoff E.R.A. He was the 2003 World Series MVP and threw a shutout in game 6 of that series to clinch it. Simply put, when the spotlight shines, Beckett brings his A game.

With the Red Sox choosing the longer divsion series format, Beckett will pitch game 4 on his normal rest. So you can pretty much pencil that in as a win. Which means the Angels have to win EVERY game Beckett doesn't pitch in this series. Not like that's any pressure or anything. I see the Sox winning this series in a sweep and having a fully rested Beckett ready for game 1 of the ALCS. Yikes!

As far as the NL, not quite time for the Cubs and Phillies to hit the panic button, but it's getting close. That was a tough one for the Phillies to lose. At home, crazy crowd, Cole Hamels on the mound. But a lack of clutch hitting did them in, including four strikeouts from Chase Utley. And as for the Rockies, 15 wins in their last 16 games. And, by the way, how good is Matt Holliday? He could be the most exciting player in baseball.

Finally, got to like the D'Backs chances. Is it possible that JD isn't the best Drew in the playoffs? His younger brother Stephen had a huge game last night. A homer and two flat out awesome defensive plays. And that's how the Diamondbacks win. Good defense, a timely hit here and there and solid pitching. And since you have to like Webb's chances to win game 5 at home on full rest, the Cubs - like the Angels - have to win all the other games. Good luck, sweet Lou.

Today the playoffs continue and we see which A-Rod shows up. I'm predicitng big things from the Yankee slugger. We'll see soon enough.