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There are a lot of things in this world that make me happy.

But the feeling that occurs when I get home, tired from my 9 a.m. class, turn on ESPN and playoff baseball is on, well, there are really no words to describe the emotions.

Never mind that my Angels didn’t make the playoffs this year. This year’s playoffs have intriguing matchups all over the board that are enough to keep any serious baseball fan deeply interested.

The Yankees have loaded up for the playoffs, as have their fans and haters. No one has any idea what will happen in a crazy National League draw.

And with three California teams in the playoffs, including the rivals of the two California teams that didn’t make postseason, there should be plenty of rooting interest on campus throughout October.

The Padres, after surging to win the division, face a reeling Cardinals team even though the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead on Tuesday.

If you’re not from San Diego, this is the most boring of the series by far. Neither team is particularly exciting and the Cardinals backed into the playoffs.

Still, the potential of a second-round Padres-Dodgers series is interesting. And if Mike Piazza gets to face off against either of his old teams, the Mets or the Dodgers, that is another good story line.

Speaking of the Dodgers, they are quite a story themselves. After a disappointing 2005 that saw GM Paul DePodesta and manager Jim Tracy dismissed, the team has been able to turn it around. The Mets may look like a tough draw, but without an ace at the front of their rotation, they are a very beatable team.

The Dodgers have a solid front three starters, good bullpen, and the offensive weapons to beat up a Mets rotation without Pedro Martinez or a healthy Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Should the Dodgers get through the National League, a potential Dodgers-Yankees World Series would be sure to stir up great memories from days past.

The opening round series that excites me the most, though, is the Twins-A’s.

I have to admit, despite my Angel loyalties, I have admiration for the A’s. They have no money, but are playing for something in September year after year.

GM Billy Beane’s signing of Frank Thomas was the biggest steal of the offseason and the main reason why the A’s won the division this season.

Still, this series is set up so perfectly to disappoint A’s fans once again, especially after the A’s beat Twins ace Johan Santana on Tuesday.

A’s fans are getting their hopes up again, only to be disappointed when they lose another Game 5 elimination game to the Twins.

There would be nothing better than the A’s losing in five games again. It would almost make up for the Angels losing the division. The thought is just too juicy to avoid mentioning.

I can picture it now. Eric Chavez and Barry Zito breaking down in the dugout. Milton Bradley challenging all of the Twins fans to a fight at the end of Game 5. Oakland fans sulking once again like Red Sox fans used to do.

Wow, how incredible would that be. I can’t get over it. And the best part is, I’m going to witness firsthand the abundance of A’s fans who have to go through hell once more. These playoffs are going to be awesome.

Azar has the Yankees going all the way. E-mail him at bazar@media.ucla.edu.