Commentary by Denton Ramsey

The major league baseball playoffs began yesterday, and thank goodness my Houston Astros are in the tournament.

Thanks to a big win on Sunday to clinch the wild-card spot in the National League, the Astros will now face off against the Atlanta Braves beginning this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

With Astros ace Roger Clemens starting the game for Houston, hopefully the ‘stros will go up 1-0 on the Braves before game two on Thursday.

In game two, the national league’s only 20-game winner will take the mound for Houston in Roy Oswalt.

My prediction is that Houston will, finally, make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

The Braves have always given the Astros problems, but this year is different.

We fought our tails off to get to where we are, and we aren’t about to go down without a fight.

If Houston can coast into the second round, that means a likely match-up with the Saint Louis Cardinals, the “hottest team in baseball” this season.

The Astros, however, hold the cards when it comes to facing Saint Louis.

The Astros are 10-8 this year against the Cardinals, so the red birds better watch out if Houston comes swinging into the second round of the playoffs.

I personally believe we [the Houston Astros] can get all the way to the World Series.

Does than mean a match-up with the New York Yankess, boasting hometown hero Andy Phillips as their “future?”

Or will the Yanks fall early this year, leaving the Astros to play a team like the Anaheim Angels or the Boston Red Sox?

One way or the other, this year’s race to the World Series will be a good one.

I’m sure many baseball fans here in Demopolis will join the Braves or Yankess bandwagon, but let me tell you something:

If you want to support the real winners, jump on the train in Houston and let’s ride it all the way through the World Series.

With the Killer-B’s ready to attack, the other seven teams in the playoffs better be prepared for a round with the Astros.

We won’t know who will be in the second round for a week or so, but until then…

Go Astros!