redsoxnation
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| #1 Posted on 14.7.03 0916.47 Reposted on: 14.7.10 0917.51 | Since its the beginning of 3 days held hostage without any games that truly count, time to go through which teams have chances at division and wild card positions. To save myself time, all teams that reside in a Central Division are Done for the Wild Card.
AL East
Yankees: Alive for division and Wild Card. However, for some reason there is something about this team I don't like (or, as a Red Sox fan, something I like) that might cause it to have problems in the second half.
Red Sox: Alive for division and Wild Card. Bullpen can't possibly be worse than they were in the first half. Have a plus 13 home game break to the second half schedule, which is important with the best home winning percentage in baseball at the break.
Blue Jays: Done for division, alive for Wild Card (barely): Conceivably they could get hot and jump one team, but doubtful they could jump both. Poor start to second half will put them in done category quickly.
Orioles: Alive for division, done for Wild Card: Seems weird, but there is a reason. Still play 31 of their final 65 against Boston or New York, so a 24-7 record in those games could propel them to contend for the division title. Conversely, they could also get destroyed in those games and lose 100 games again.
Devil Rays: Done for division and Wild Card. Spunky team, but will still lose over 100 games.
AL Central (reminder, all teams are done for Wild Card)
Royals: Alive for division. The way this division is going, they might not get caught.
Twins: Alive for division: Another bad week, and they will be done. Had an opportunity to put the Royals away in June, and instead have dropped 11 games in the standings in a month.
White Sox: Alive for division. Much like Twins, another bad week and they are done. Something about the make up of this team seems extremely weird. Should have a new manager by the end of the All Star break.
Indians: Done for divison. Would have kept them alive if they had swept the White Sox before the break, but they couldn't rally themselves back into the race.
Tigers: Done for division. The Braves will lose less games this season than the Tigers have at the break. Have some good arms, but can't hit. Will lose a minimum of 110 and could still challenge the 120 mark.
AL West
Mariners: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card: Struggled a bit heading toward the break, which could be reminiscent of the second half struggles of last year.
A's: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card: Historically play great baseball the last two months. A disadvantage is that unlike Boston that has a large plus/minus home game schedule, the A's have a large plus/minus road game schedule, and are a poor road team.
Angels: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card: Have been getting hot recently, and could become a factor down the stretch.
Rangers: Done for division, done for Wild Card. No pitching ='s no chance.
NL East
Braves: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. If they could play all their games outside their division, they'd be challenging 130 wins for the season. Plus, get Skip and Pete Van Wieran back for second half.
Phillies: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. They have the talent, whether they can put it together consistently is another story.
Expos: Done for division, alive for Wild Card. Fading fast in the Wild Card race, might start a fire sale quickly.
Marlins: Done for division, alive for Wild Card. Have the pitching and hitting to stay in the Wild Card race.
Mets: Done for division, done for Wild Card. Meet the Mets, Greet the Mets, Come On Everybody Beats the Mets. Interesting game for the second half: Will the Mets finish further out of first place than the Tigers?
NL Central (all teams done for Wild Card)
Astros: Alive for division. Seem to be getting straightened out. Have to keep pitching staff healthy in the second half.
Cardinals: Alive for division. If they had pitching, they could be a good team.
Cubs: Alive for division. Alive, but fading fast.
Pirates: Done for division. Bad week against Brewers and Astros puts them away.
Reds: Done for division. Pitching has completely imploded.
Brewers: Done for divison. When sausage racing is more exciting than the games, something is wrong.
NL West
Giants: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. Appear to have righted themselves. Have a substantial plus/minus home game schedule remaining.
Diamondbacks: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. Getting their troops back around the break. Whether the old pitching can hold up and the new players can stay hot is a question mark though.
Dodgers: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. On life support. Have had the pitching, but have hitting as bad as the Tigers.
Rockies: Alive for division, alive for Wild Card. If the Dodgers are alive, then by default so are the Rockies.
Padres: Done for division, done for Wild Card. Wait 'til Next Year. Main problem is this losing is making a mockery of Lou Merloni's career, and could have a negative impact on his first ballot unanimous Hall of Fame selection. Promote this thread! | | Grimis
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| #2 Posted on 14.7.03 1007.55 Reposted on: 14.7.10 1012.12 |
Originally posted by redsoxnation Orioles: Alive for division, done for Wild Card: Seems weird, but there is a reason. Still play 31 of their final 65 against Boston or New York, so a 24-7 record in those games could propel them to contend for the division title. Conversely, they could also get destroyed in those games and lose 100 games again.
We're 15 games out, but thankfully we're in ballgames as opposed to just being killed. This team won't win 100 games, but it'll take some effort to get to .500. I just hope Hargrove doesn't get fired for sticking with the franchise after the Syd Thrift years... | Big Bad
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| #3 Posted on 14.7.03 2233.57 Reposted on: 14.7.10 2234.51 | My unofficial picks....
Yankees, Royals, Mariners, WC: Boston Braves, Cubs, Giants, WC: Houston | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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