It’s October, and for sports fans, it can only mean one thing.

It’s time for the MLB playoffs.

Unlike years past, 2010 is the year where powerhouse teams like the Yankees are just fighting to stay alive. Teams like the Tampa Bay Rays who have waited for years for the opportunity to shine are finally getting their chance.

One of the biggest stories of the year is emerging star Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. The 2010 All-Star is batting .323 and under his leadership the Reds look to be serious contenders for the first time in years. Despite playing well this year, the Reds have failed to change the minds of most baseball fans.

“I think the Rays could do it,” said sophomore Jake Howard. “but I think the Rangers could do some upsetting.”

The Rangers are definitely a team to keep an eye on as the playoffs get under way. All-Star Josh Hamilton leads the way with a tremendous .361 batting average. The Rangers have been bringing in win after win down the final stretch of the regular season. 

Unfortunately, optimistic Washington fans watched as the Nationals continued to struggle throughout the season. Although Stephen Strasburg was the supposed “savior” of the franchise, fans watched in disbelief as the star injured his arm and will now be out twelve to eighteen months recovering from Tommy John surgery, a surgery where a ligament from another part of the body is used to replace an injured one in the elbow. One shining ray of light in the dark cave that is the Nationals season is catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

Even though baseball used to be the sport to watch in October, a new generation that is used to instant gratification doesn’t have the patience required to watch baseball. Instead, kids are more into the fast paced hard-hitting game of football during the Fall. In the Northern Virginia area, local fans are more interested in watching new coach Mike Shanahan’s offense fall into place.

“Baseball? What’s baseball?” said junior Sean Irvine. “I’m rooting for my Steelers right now!”