The weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing colors and the days are getting shorter. For baseball fans, it can only mean one thing: The playoffs are finally here. The Seattle Mariners may have missed the postseason for the seventh consecutive season, but these playoffs still offer plenty for the most casual baseball fans.

Way back in Feb., 29 teams reported to spring training hoping to dethrone the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. Here at the beginning of October, the Red Sox and seven other teams remain. The playoffs and their story lines start today. It’s time to pick a team and make them your own.

Like picking the underdogs? Try the Tampa Bay Rays on for size. The Rays accumulated 96 losses in 2007 and 97 wins in 2008, making for the biggest turnaround in Major League history. Want a feel good story? Hello, Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers needed another New York Mets collapse and three superb starts in nine days by C.C. Sabathia to make the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Believe in karma? The Los Angeles Dodgers do. Manager Joe Torre was essentially forced out of New York at the end of last season, despite leading the Yankees to 12 consecutive playoff appearances. Torre signed with the Dodgers and has them in the playoffs while the Yankees will be watching from home for the first time since 1995. Looking for a local angle? There’s pitcher Jon Lester and the Red Sox. The Puyallup native could win his second World Series ring after returning from lymphoma that nearly ended his career two years ago. Want to root for former Mariners? Chicago White Sox center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. is still playing for his first World Series title as his legendary career winds down. Pitcher Jamie Moyer is doing the same with the Philadelphia Phillies. Just like the favorites? The Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago Cubs finished with the best records in the American and National Leagues. The Angels are the only team to win 100 games this season. But, the Cubs are looking for their first World Series win in 100 years. I’m willing to bet my milk … err … Busch Light money that Steve Bartman will not be attending any games at Wrigley Field. Just a hunch, anyway. So, there’s plenty of baseball left. Who’s your team? Many northwest fans gave up on the baseball season in April. Who could blame them? The Mariners stunk it up worse than the old Honey Buckets in Martin Stadium. Errors. Strikeouts. Blown saves. For the past five months, the boys of summer were the boys of bummer. There was nothing to root for. No pennant chase. No ninth inning rallies. Just positioning for the worst record in Major League Baseball and the first pick in next year’s draft. Hell, the Mariners couldn’t even get that right. Well, fear not fellow baseball fans. The bad baseball is over. This time of the season is all about pitching duels, clutch hits and run-saving catches. Pick a team. And as Terrell Owens would say, “Get your popcorn ready!”