Can we PLEASE just start the playoffs now?

Seriously... after tonight there is officially no suspense left in this 2009 regular season.

THE RED SOX ARE NOT CATCHING THE YANKEES

It's not happening. 

If they swept the Royals and were within a few games in the loss column for this weekend's series, then it might be possible.

But if the Sox can't win the series in KC, then they just aren't going to do it. 

Tonight's game didn't get me mad. The Sox were up against the guy who will probably win the Cy Young Award and Paul Byrd was pitching.

He has as much chance of pitching in the playoffs as Robin Byrd (no, I am not posting a link you pervert!)

THE YANKEES WILL HAVE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE THROUGHOUT THE POST SEASON

As well they should!

They are the best team in baseball and they gutted out a tough win tonight in Anaheim.

Hate them all you want (and I do) but they have a good product on the field. And if you think money buys you happiness, go across town and ask the Mets how they are doing.

THE TIGERS ARE NOT GOING TO BLOW THIS DIVISION LEAD

The Twins needed to sweep them last weekend. Instead they only got 2 out of 3... which wasn't enough.

OK fine, they have 4 games head to head next week. Just splitting that series at home would trim 4 off of their magic number which at this writing is at 10.

It's safe to say the Tigers will lower that number to single digits by next week.

The Twins made it interesting but alas will fall short. It would behoove the Twins to come out of the gate quickly next year.

I'M SORRY RANGERS FANS... IT IS NOT HAPPENING THIS YEAR

The Rangers have held on a lot longer than anyone could have imagined going into this year.

They pitched, they hit and they made Red Sox and Angels fans wonder if a return trip to the playoffs was in the cards.

But alas they couldn't take advantage of the Red Sox AND the Angels losing. They are a week behind the Halos in the loss column for the AL West.

They are also a week behind the Sox in the loss column for the Wild Card.

With less than 2 weeks to go, that's just not enough time. The foundation is set for 2010... but the suspense is over this year.

THE SUSPENSE IS OVER FOR THE NL DIVISION RACES

All of them are done.

The Cardinals can clinch tomorrow with a win and a Cubs loss. 

The Phillies can whittle the magic number to 3 with a win tomorrow.

The Dodgers have a 5 game lead with 11 to play.

And none of those teams seemed poise to do a 2007 Mets impersonation. I suppose there is some suspense on who will have the best record... but that is overrated.

Besides, in 2006 the Twins passed the Tigers on the last day of the season. Both were post season bound, but the Twins got the better match up with the A's while the Tigers were stuck playing the powerhouse Yankees.

Remember what happened? The Tigers beat the Yankees and the A's swept the Twins.

Match ups are overrated. You've got to beat a good team to win the World Series anyway!

IT JUST ISN'T THE GIANTS YEAR

I'm sorry Poppy.

The Giants had a terrific building block season and had some memorable moments from Sanchez, Sandoval, Lincecum and Big Unit's 300 win.

But when there is no margin for error, you just can't lose a game where you score 8 runs and have Matt Cain on the mound.

The Giants have fallen into a tie with the Braves. If the Marlins and Braves get hot, the Giants could fall to 4th in the Wild Card Race.

As it is, the Rockies have this locked up.

So there you have it... the 8 playoff participants have the season locked up barring a cataclysmic collapse.

And the last 12 games of the season would essentially be a formality.

Let's skip all of that and start the playoffs this weekend!

Maybe that will assure us all that the World Series won't go into November!