Anyone who has followed the New York Giants during the Tom Coughlin era knows that there is seldom smooth sailing throughout the course of a season.  Virtually every year, even the first season in 2004 when they didn't make the playoffs, their season seems to play out like the tortoise and the hair and it tends to drive the Big Blue faithful crazy.  Yet with that there is also the knowledge that when this team is seemingly written off with their backs up against the wall and expectations lowered, usually they'll step it up and turn it around.

I don't want to give the Giants a pass and say from the outset there were questions about not having a big target in the red zone and how the defense would respond under a new coordinator.  But once the season starts, your expectations change along with it.  That being said I still believe this team can get into the playoffs in a weak NFC, where remember the Giants only three years ago sneaked in with eight wins.

Looking at the parallels of this season and 2004, those Giants were also 5-4 heading into a home contest which they lost to the Atlanta Falcons 14-10 and continued their spiral from a 5-2 start to a 6-10 finish.  Looking at this season the Giants have already lost as many regular season games as they did last season.  Their only real quality win was at Dallas in Week Two and the most worrisome losses to me were dropping two games at home to Arizona and San Diego, two warm weather West Coast clubs that have been up and down themselves this season.

If I had to make a case for the Giants reaching the playoffs this year it would play out like this:

The Giants after the bye week are rested and prepared to play Atlanta, which doesn't really have any quality wins to speak of itself.  And if you're looking at one of those last Wild Card spots, well there's one of your tie-breakers as well.

While a quick turnaround an flight out to Denver is no day at the beach, the Broncos themselves have lost a bit of steam the last couple of weeks and will be coming off a hard fought contest with the Chargers.  A win here would be gravy and a real confidence booster, but I'm not counting on it.

Following that the Giants have some extra time to prepare for Dallas at home.  Speaking of which depending on what one thinks is attainable for this team do Giants fans actually root for Dallas to beat Green Bay?  Having beaten Dallas once and spanking them at home last year, one has to wonder if they'll respond just like the Cowboys did against them down in Dallas last season while fighting for their playoff lives. 

The Giants will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at home the following week and one can probably assume another loss there.

Then its off to Washington to play the abysmal Redskins whom the Giants beat in the season opener.

And if the last two contests look strikingly familiar to you, they should.  The Giants play a reeling Carolina Panthers team at home, who for all intensive purposes could be long out of it by then.  Plus are they really going to lose the final game at Giants Stadium?

Finally the Giants will finish out at Minnesota to play the Vikings.  This time it could very well play out like last year's game only with the roles reversed.  The Giants fighting desperately for a playoff spot, while the Vikings will likely have a first round bye sewn up and could be resting starters for that game as well.

All in all unless the Giants have really reached the point of no return, there's no reason this team can't theoretically go 5-2 the rest of the way, finish up at 10-6 and snag a Wild Card spot in the NFC. 

And if all else fails, maybe Kate Hudson can coach the defense.

The last time the New York Yankees won a Game Six World Series clincher at Yankee Stadium was 1996.  Following that season the series MVP (John Wetteland) and winner of that game (Jimmy Key) were not brought back.  Will the same hold true for Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte come 2010?  And should Johnny Damon be brought back as well?

There are certainly many arguments for getting younger, more versatile and reinvesting that money elsewhere. 

Just remember this, it took an awfully long time (in Yankee years) to find clutch, smart hard-nosed winning ball players.

Back in 1997 it worked out fairly well for the Yankees letting those two go, replacing them with Mariano Rivera and David Wells.  Yet there was another player who had a monster postseason in 1996 and if not for Wetteland would've been World Series MVP.

Cecil Fielder hit .391 in the 1996 Fall Classic against the Atlanta Braves.  There was a lot of debate as to whether the organization would pick up Fielder's option and things turned awfully sour between him and the ball club.  Fielder ended up getting hurt, was never quite the same and was out of the game all-together after 1998.  The Yankees needed to find some pop so they dealt for Mike Stanley.

In 2002 the Yankees found themselves trying to replace Paul O'Neill, Chuck Knoblauch and David Justice.  So they signed Rondell White rather than Damon to replace Knoblauch in left and to lead-off and tried platooning Shane Spencer with John Vander Wal and eventually got desperate enough to deal for Raul Mondesi.

I don't need to remind you what happened the last time they let Pettitte go.

As 2009 showed, depth and competition are important.  Remember when there were rumors that virtually any of their outfielders could've been dealt and when there was a perceived worry about how to get ample playing time and at-bats for Nick Swisher, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera?  Well a season ending injury to Xavier Nady and early ineffectiveness from Brett Gardner answered those questions.

Granted the team is older but there is precedent for the Yankees winning with a full-time DH.  In 1998-1999 Chili Davis was solely a DH for the Yankees.  During the 1999 campaign Davis was designated hitter for 141 games.  In 2001 David Justice was DH for 85 games and that was with a 38 year-old O'Neill playing 130 games in right field, much like the gritty, durable, banged up Damon.

If it were up to me I'd bring all three back.  They're winners, smart ballplayers and clutch.  Money is never an issue with the Yankees and it's not like they'd have to commit to 3-5 year deals.  Besides the Yankees are already built for October, so it would behoove them to keep three players who can bring them back to the Canyon of Heroes in November.

You'll have to forgive Andy Pettitte if he "misremembered" his last two potential series clinching Game Six starts against Boston and Arizona.  Pettitte was much more focused on what he came back to New York for.  For moments like this, to pitch at the "New Stadium," to win the first clincher in this ballpark.

So Pettitte who started the last World Series game at the old Yankee Stadium (also a Game Six) was on a mission to pitch the New York Yankees into their first World Series in the new house, improving their playoff record in the new joint to 5-0.  Pettitte was also gunning for some personal milestones as well, postseason win number 16 and his fifth series clinching victory, both good enough for best all-time.

After a routine first inning, Vladimir Guerrero picked up a hit.  Then in what was a microcosm of who had the better pitching and fundamentals all series long, Nick Swisher on a shallow fly ball hit by Kendry Morales, doubled up Guerrero who looked a bit like his counterpart on that other L.A. team for a moment.

In the third the Angels struck first, as catcher Jeff Mathis remained in the zone with a soaring double off Pettitte to get things going.  With two down and Mathis moved over to third, Pettitte left a hanging breaking ball for Bobby Abreu to deposit into right putting the Halos on top, 1-0.

After getting out of some early jams Angels starter Joe Saunders got touched up in the fourth.  Robinson Cano drew a walk.  Nick Swisher who initially faked a bunt on the first pitch, which may have influenced where Chone Figgins was playing him, ended up getting a base knock to left setting up first and second with no outs.

Melky Cabrera bunted both runners into scoring position and turned the order around.  Derek Jeter coaxed a walk and Johnny Damon with the bases loaded was primed to do some damage.  Damon sliced a liner to left-center plating Cano and Swisher to put the Yanks on top 2-1.

Mark Teixeira reached on an infield hit to short and A-Rod was walked with the bases loaded scoring Jeter for what ended up being the eventual game winning RBI to give the Yanks a 3-1 edge.

In the sixth Pettitte continued to make big pitches when needed.  After getting Figgins to foul out by hitting the ball off himself in fair territory and retiring Abreu on a grounder to Cano, Pettitte got into a little jam.  Torii Hunter singled after he should've been punched out on a "check swing."  Guerrero hit a double to right and L.A. was in business with two in scoring position and Morales representing the go-ahead run at the plate.  However Pettitte induced Morales to chop back to the mound and the lefty recorded the out at first to retire the side.

After Pettitte was lifted from 6 1/3 solid innings and six strikeouts, Joba Chamberlain came on to hold down the fort.

So with Mariano Rivera on in the eighth to attempt a two inning save, things got somewhat tenuous for Rivera who hadn't pitched since Thursday.  Figgins set the table with a flare to left.  Abreu advanced Figgins on a diving fielder's choice play made by Teixeira.  Following Hunter's ground-out, Guerrero picked up another knock to right scoring Figgins and pulling the Angels to within one, 3-2.  Yet Rivera and the Yankees were able to solve Morales again, getting him to ground to second to end the threat.

In the bottom frame the Angels lack of fundamentals likely made Manager Mike Scioscia go mental.  Cano walked and Swisher trying to advance him on a sac-bunt, reached safely after Howie Kendrick covering first dropped the throw from Morales. 

So it was time once again for Cabrera to lay down a sac-bunt.  That's when Scott Kazmir showed off the new ephius pitch he'd worked on with Rick Peterson, on the throw to first and didn't even give Kendrick a chance to drop it this time.  Cano came around to score and Brett Gardner, running for Swisher, moved over to third. 

Jeter grounded out to Kazmir who this time threw a strike to the bag at first.  Damon walked to load the bases for Teixeira.  Teixeira lifted one to center deep enough to drive home Gardner on a sac-fly and expand the lead, 5-2.

Moving to the ninth, Rivera was back in his element with more breathing room.  After Mo had dispatched of Kendrick and Juan Rivera, the Angels surprisingly sent out Gary Matthews Jr. to extend their season.  Yet it was the last Yankee to pitch in a World Series game in the old yard in relief of Pettitte in 2003, who would pitch them into the World Series in the new one for the first time.  Rivera made Matthews Jr. his final victim of the 2009 ALCS with a strikeout and his postseason record 37th save for the Yankees record 40th American League Pennant, 5-2.

Hence the Yankees will take on the National League and defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies in the Fall Classic.  The last time the two clubs met was in 1950, when Casey's Boys took on the Whiz Kids and the Yankees swept the Phillies, 4-0. 

To give some perspective, much like Joe Girardi it was Casey Stengel's second season managing the Yankees, though Casey already had won the World Series the previous year.  The first three out of four were decided by one run.  In Game Two in Philadelphia, Joe DiMaggio hit the go-ahead game winning homer in the tenth off Robin Roberts for a 2-1 victory.  And much like these Yankees, those Yankees had a walk-off win of their own in Game Three in New York, when Jerry Coleman facing native New Yorker Tom Ferrick, knocked in Gene Woodling for the 3-2 win.  And Game Four saw New York native Whitey Ford winning the clincher at home in his rookie season for his first postseason win and Yogi Berra homered as the Yanks beat the Phils 5-2.

This marks the seventh time the Yankees will face a defending champion, going 5-1 in the prior six.  It also makes for the third straight time the Yankees will open a new carnation of Yankee Stadium, also against a defending champion.  In 1923 the Yankees beat the New York Giants for their first title in six and in 1976 they were swept by the Big Red Machine in four.  Their last World Series against a defending champion, New York beat Atlanta in six in 1996.

Between the Yankees, Phillies, Giants and A's, New York and Philadelphia have met in the World Series four times, with each city meeting winning twice.  1950: Yankees over Phillies 4-0.  1913: Athletics over Giants 4-1.  1911: Athletics over Giants 4-2.  1905: Giants over Athletics 4-1.  Interestingly enough those two transplanted teams also met exactly 20 years ago in 1989 for the Bay Area Earthquake Series, with the Oakland Athletics sweeping the San Francisco Giants 4-0.

In other sports the New York Islanders won their first Stanley Cup over the Philadelphia Flyers in 1979-80 in six games.  While the Yankees have Joba and the Phillies once had Wes, the then Philadelphia Warriors Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points on the New York Knickerbockers in a 169-147 win in 1962.  And in football the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles who play in Philly this Sunday are 2-2 against each other in the playoffs, New York winning the first two and Philadelphia the last two including last season.

Other miscellaneous facts, Eric Hinske ties Don Baylor's obscure record of being the only two players to reach the World Series three years in a row, each year with a different team.  Both "Subway pitch-men" NLCS MVP Ryan Howard and ALCS MVP CC Sabathia will face off.  As will former Cleveland Indians teammates Sabathia and Cliff Lee, the last two American League Cy Young Award Winners in Game One, much like they did in the first regular season game ever at the New Stadium with Lee picking up the first victory.  Jim Konstanty and Mariano Duncan are the only players to have ever played in a World Series with the Phillies and Yankees.

The Phillies are the first team to make it to the World Series in consecutive years since the 1998-2001 Yankees, first NL club to do it since the 1995-1996 Braves, both of those clubs lost in their last attempt.  Additionally the Phillies will try to become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to win back-to-back titles and the first NL team to do so since the 1975-1976 Cincinnati Reds.

The short season series in New York went to Philadelphia 2-1.  But figure this, both Jorge Posada and Jose Molina were out for the Yankees.  Jose Veras (no longer on the Yankees) picked up their only win, while A.J. Burnett and Brett Tomko (no longer on the Yankees) lost.  For Philly Brett Myers (no longer in the rotation) and Clay Condrey won and Brad Lidge lost.

So here it is folks, Broadway meets Broad Street, the Statue of Liberty meets the Liberty Bell and the City That Never Sleeps meets the City of Brotherly Love.

Of course for New York Mets fans, there's always the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night.

Both the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees did their absolute best to give away Game Five of the ALCS and ultimately both squads will be flying back to New York for Game Six.  And much like that guy who jumped into the puddle out by the rock pile, each bullpen was all wet.

Early on it appeared as though the Yankees would break it open in the first.  Consecutive singles from Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon had New York setup.  Then a questionable strike three call to Mark Teixeira allowed John Lackey to regain his composure to retire the side un-harmed.

In the bottom half of the frame we learned just how worth it the decision was to have Jose Molina catching A.J. Burnett despite Jorge Posada's solid numbers versus Lackey.  Burnett walked Chone Figgins and was then battered for five straight hits.  Burnett looked like the Bugs Bunny cartoon as the hitting conga line was on. 

Bobby Abreu with a single to center.  Torii Hunter another two-run blast to center, scoring Figgins and Abreu.  Vladimir Guererro doubled to center (am I sensing a theme here?) to knock in Hunter.  Kendry Morales picked up a knock of his own driving in Guerrero.  And then Burnett got Macier Izturis to fly out to Nick Swisher and Juan Rivera mercifully grounded into a double-play to end the inning, 4-0 Angels out front.

There was another "par for the postseason" poor umpiring call in the third with Damon being called out a first to end the inning. 

Both Lackey and Burnett matched each other up until the seventh when things got really wild.  Melky Cabrera doubled to right with one out.  Posada walked on a questionable ball four call and Lackey clearly rattled subsequently walked Jeter on four straight pitches.

After Damon flew out to Rivera, Mike Scoscia pulled a frustrated and adamant Lackey who wanted to finish the game. 

With Darren Oliver on to pitch, Teixeira took him deep to the gap in left, clearing the bases for a three-run double.  The Angels then issued a free pass to Alex Rodriguez with first base open to pitch to Hideki Matsui.  Matsui drove in Teixeira with a base knock to tie things at 4-4.

Following that L.A. called on Kevin Jepsen and Robinson Cano rocked him for a two-run triple giving the Yanks their first lead 6-4. 

But in the bottom frame it was New York's turn to make some questionable pitching moves.  The Yankees neglected bringing him in during the seventh inning of Game Three and I would've put David Robertson who has been their most dependable reliever outside of the great Mariano Rivera this postseason on to pitch. 

So Burnett was left in to face the Angels deceptive at least in this series, bottom of the order.  A.J. yielded a hit to Jeff "chestnuts roasting on Yankees pitching" Mathis and walked Erick Aybar, possibly the worst walk in Yankees history since David Cone walked Doug Strange in Game Five of the 1995 ALDS.

While I didn't have a problem with Burnett starting the inning, I can't buy the line of him only throwing 80 or so pitches to that point.  If that's the case why was Andy Pettitte pulled after cruising along with only 81 pitches in Game Three of the ALDS against Minnesota?

The Yankees brought on Damaso Marte who got his job done.  Figgins bunted the runners into scoring position and Marte got Abreu to ground into a fielder's choice which scored Mathis.  Phil Hughes was brought on which begs the question if you were going to bring him in regardless, why not start the inning with him? 

Hughes walked Hunter.  Then instead of throwing a curve three feet off the plate or going way up the ladder, Hughes grooves a fat one to Guerrero and Vlad deposits it to center tying the contest at 6-6.  Morales took Hughes to right and just like that L.A. was right back in the driver's seat 7-6.

After Mariano Rivera pulled off another magician act reminiscent of Game Three, the Yanks staged a little rally in the ninth.  Unfortunately unlike Game Two, A-Rod who had his first RBI-less game of the playoffs was intentionally walked.  The Yanks had the bases loaded with two outs and Swisher who has made some heads-up plays in the field continues to look lost at the plate.  After coming back from 0-2 Swisher worked the count to 3-2, but Brian Fuentes got Swisher to pop-out to Aybar and the Angels took Game Five 7-6.

So the series shifts back to New York, where both managers hope the bullpen phones are disconnected.