If you thought September baseball was tense just wait until the playoffs start Tuesday.

During the playoffs players must be focused on every play.

Three things to remember:
1) If you think there was interference, continue running, finish the play;
2) If there is a collision at home plate and you haven’t touched the dish, don’t worry about pushing the catcher out of the way, just touch home.
3) If there is a close play at the plate make sure you slide!

Keys for the A’s and the other playoff teams:The A’s have the overall pitching to stop any of the other playoff teams. The key to Oakland’s chances of advancing past the first round will be their ability to score runs.

The A’s will face pitchers who can throw strikes. Walks will come at times, but Oakland hitters must be prepared to swing the bat. If they take too many strikes they will find themselves trying to connect when the count favors the pitcher.

A’s pitchers have been awesome stranding opposing base runners when the game is on the line. Even though Joe Blanton struggled down the stretch his availability in middle relief will be a valuable weapon for Ken Macha. Blanton’s curve ball and teammate Chad Gaudin’s fastball are swing and miss pitches, both very effective with runners on base.

DH Frank Thomas won’t see many pitches to hit. Thomas, never too fond of pitches close to his body, will be moved back off the plate by the opposition’s hurlers.

Milton Bradley will need to block out any distractions and stand up as a composed number three hitter.

Nick Swisher has hit crucial home runs this year. Swisher will see a steady diet of off speed pitches, not the fastballs he usually yanks out of the park. The second year outfielder must adjust and use the entire field.

Closer Huston Street must have his best stuff. If he falters, Macha should use Justin Duchscherer to close the game. One blown save in a five game series might not be disastrous. Two miscues by the closer and the results will be fatal.

Keys for the Twins:

Hope that Johan Santana (one prior playoff win) dominates two postseason games. Get a quality start from courageous Brad Radke. Pray that rookie pitchers Boof Bonser and Matt Garza can withstand playoff pressure?

Even though the Twins have a good record against right handed pitching, they have become vulnerable to hard throwers from that side. Pressure is squarely on lefty hitters Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

Getting the ball to closer Joe Nathan will be the challenge. Set up man Juan Rincon has struggled in September. The Minnesota ‘pen is not as good as advertised.

The Twins better win every game at home because they are another ball club away from the Dome.

Can the Tigers advance?

Kenny Rogers must show he can win when it counts the most. Young power pitchers Justin Verlander and Jeremy Bonderman need to go six innings in their starts. Hard throwing Joel Zumaya must be ready to throw his 100 mph fastball in every winnable game.

The Tigers defense is shaky. In the playoffs erratic defense will quickly sink you. Detroit lives by the home run. That tactic might work during the regular season, but good pitching can shut down the long ball in October.

Key is stopping Ivan Rodriguez. Pudge can hurt you without hitting a home run.

The Yanks:

Just make sure the hitters arrive at the park on time. Have Mariano Rivera ready to go. NY is only vulnerable in a five game series. After that it is all Yanks.

I’ll stick by my preseason prediction: A’s and Yanks in the ALCS.

In the unsettled NL, Padres are my sleeper pick. Starting rotation anchored by Jake Peavy and Chris Young is underrated. ‘Pen can close the game. Padres can score runs on the road.

Watch out for the Friars.