Prefer NL ball
The "AL is the better league" argument has never made sense to me, since players and mgrs switch leagues some times.
Also, the "they had more heart" or "they wanted it more" statements as the reason for "X" team winning, are stupid. When I hear intelligent adults say stuff like that, I ask them to explain it. But I still don't know what they mean.
-The Kid
Agreed. Further, I find the National League game to be more suited (oftentimes) to the playoff format. The main point being that AL teams often wait for the 3-run HR, whereas in the NL, if the lead off batter gets on, they'll waste outs trying to get the runner into scoring position (sacrifice bunts). The old saying being "get'em on, get'em over, get'em in".
All teams know how to play that way, but the NL is better schooled at it for the most part.
It usually works out to who is playing the best these final days. Teams like the Mets and Yankees - both in it some time ago - have to start those engines back up.
Harder still for the Yanks, as they'll have a rather new lineup once the playoffs start (Matsui and Sheffield manning the corner OF's) and Mariano hasn't pitched in some time.
Those battling to the very end of the season are already in playoff mode, that may help them sneak up on a sleeping giant.
Whoever faces Minnesota could be out of it before they even realize they were invited.
As always, it should be interesting.