Don't ask me. I'm still incredibly baffled as to how the Yankees are even making the playoffs, much less within striking distance of the division. Not to scare Boston fans that much more, but the Sox finish the season against Dan Haren and the A's and then Johan Santana and the Twins. Meanwhile, the Yankees wrap up the season against Tampa Bay and Baltimore. I like the odds of a 10th straight Yankees division title.
AL CENTRAL Cleveland 92-63 -
Cleveland clinched the division on Sunday, September 23. Definitely look out for these guys, because I don't think anyone is taking them seriously in October. I personally think they have a better chance of winning it all than Boston or New York. I wouldn't want to face C.C. Sabathia in Game 1, I can tell you that.
AL WEST Los Angeles 92-64 -
Los Angeles clinched the division on Sunday, September 23. There's one big chink in the Angels' armor right now. His name is Scot Shields. And considering he's been the 8th inning setup guy for years, that's a big chink. The Angels' playoff fate depends on who they get in the ALDS. If they get the Yankees, they'll stand a very good chance. If they get the Red Sox, look for them to make an early exit.
AL WILD CARD New York - Detroit 5 GB Seattle 6.5 GB
We may as well just hand this one to the Yankees. That's a shame, because Detroit could have stayed in it had they not had some ill-timed losses to the White Sox.
NL EAST New York 87-68 - Philadelphia 85-71 2.5 GB
The Mets have been on the verge of collapse for about a week. If they make the postseason, they'll have the least momentum of any of the eight teams. And if 2006 taught us anything, that means we should pencil them in for the World Series.
NL CENTRAL Chicago 83-73 - Milwaukee 79-76 3.5 GB
I said way back in May when everyone was counting them out that the Cubs would probably win the division. I mean, their biggest competition was the BREWERS, for God's sake. Not that the Brewers are a bad team, but they don't have the experience to hang tough in a division race. Look out next year, though, if they sign a veteran slugger.
NL WEST Arizona 88-68 - San Diego 85-70 2.5 GB Colorado 84-72 4 GB
In a crucial series to end the season, the D-Backs get the Rockies in what could decide the division. No joke. The Padres get the Giants for three starting tonight. And while the Pads should easily take this one, the Giants are in the midst of the Barry Bonds Farewell Tour and will probably be playing to send him off on top. If the Pads make it through the Giants, they get the fading Brew Crew at the end of the week.
NL WILD CARD San Diego - Philadelphia .5 GB Colorado 1.5 GB
Yes, the Rockies are within 1.5 of the Wild Card. I'm as shocked as anyone. If anyone has the best chance to come out on top, it'll be the Phils, who get the Nationals to end the season. Whoever gets the Wild Card will certainly deserve it, so best of luck to all.
It would be ironic with their loaded line ups in the 90s that the tribe win this year. A good one-two starting pitching line up, a good bullpen, and a scrapy everyday line up. Go Tribe.
The Brewers can sign a whole truckload of veteran sluggers and it won't matter as long as they have a bullpen comprised of 5 gascans and a mad arsonist. Seriously, everyone else in the NL Central tried all year to give them this division and they just finally said "NO! WE DON'T WANT IT!"
Again I say it, its going to be the year the Cubs win it all.
Originally posted by It's FalseNot to scare Boston fans that much more, but the Sox finish the season against Dan Haren and the A's and then Johan Santana and the Twins. Meanwhile, the Yankees wrap up the season against Tampa Bay and Baltimore. I like the odds of a 10th straight Yankees division title.
Actually, the rotations are aligning so that we miss both Haren and Santana. And the Yankees are 15-15 against Tampa and Baltimore this year.
Originally posted by spfThe Brewers can sign a whole truckload of veteran sluggers and it won't matter as long as they have a bullpen comprised of 5 gascans and a mad arsonist. Seriously, everyone else in the NL Central tried all year to give them this division and they just finally said "NO! WE DON'T WANT IT!"
Again I say it, its going to be the year the Cubs win it all.
I did kind of notice that Lee, Soriano and Ramirez kinda "woke up" in the last week or so. I don't suppose it could be possible that you're right. But, one step at a time.
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"The Mexican rebels aren't running it back for touchdowns, so it's close." (thecubsfan)
Make it 2 GB for Los Yanquis; they lost to Toronto. Also note that they're .500 against Tampa Bay and Baltimore on the season... for whatever that means.
I actually picked the Rockies to finish second in the West in our preseason predictions and was awfully close to picking them to win the division or wild card. Only reason I didn't give them the wild card is because I thought Atlanta would be better.
Really there is no choice for National League MVP other than Matt Holliday. 1st in RBI, second in batting, fourth in homeruns, first in hits and doubles, 8th in OBP, 1st in slugging, 2nd in OPS. He's a number three hitter that is only a few runs behind Reyes and Rollins. Most importantly he's getting it done down the stretch. 12 HR, 26 RBI and 23 runs with a .351 BA and 1.292 OPS in 20 games in September.
Originally posted by drjayphdMake it 2 GB for Los Yanquis; they lost to Toronto. Also note that they're .500 against Tampa Bay and Baltimore on the season... for whatever that means.
Baltimore quit on the season the day the manager got the extension, so pencil the Yankees in for 3 wins in Yankee Stadium South this weekend, should Torre be playing to win at the time. Tampa will throw Kazmir, but, as in the Boston series, he is on a strict 100 pitch count. Hopefully Boston can get a few guys back this week and go 4-2 at home, and force the Yankees to run the table to tie and get the division. The team that might get multiple teams in the playoffs the last week and a half of the season might be the Braves. They put the knife in the Brewers heart for the Cubs, and they could knock the Phillies out for both the Mets and the second place team in the West. Then again, the wacky part of my mind wants to see a tie in the East, a 3-way tie in the West, and all 5 teams to be tied for the Wild Card. In that never will occur scenario the Cubs would have the worst record in the playoffs and would just be sitting there waiting to pick the bones.
Originally posted by redsoxnation Then again, the wacky part of my mind wants to see a tie in the East, a 3-way tie in the West, and all 5 teams to be tied for the Wild Card. In that never will occur scenario the Cubs would have the worst record in the playoffs and would just be sitting there waiting to pick the bones.
How many different playoff games would you need to break THAT tie? The Mets and the Phils would play off for the East, there'd be 2 games in the West. Say for the sake of argument, Philly wins a NL East playoff, and San Diego beats both Arizona and Colorado in West playoff games (That is how they break 3-way ties, correct? One team gets a day off, and sacrifices home field, or something like that?) Since playoff games are treated like regular season games, wouldn't there still be a 3-way tie for the Wild Card? And what if San Diego beats Arizona, but loses to Colorado? Oy, the mind boggles.
In any event, the Mets spotted Washington a 10-3 lead, and almost got it all back in the bottom of the 9th. Unfortunately, almost doesn't really count, and they lost 10-9. Philly loses too, the lead remains 2, Mets magic number down to 4. Colorado is winning, San Diego is losing, Arizona is off.
In the divisions where all relevant games are complete, the magic numbers are:
Boston- 3 to clinch the AL East NY Yankees- 1 to clinch the last AL Playoff spot NY Mets- 4 to clinch NL East Chicago Cubs- 4 to clinch NL Central
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Really there is no choice for National League MVP other than Matt Holliday. 1st in RBI, second in batting, fourth in homeruns, first in hits and doubles, 8th in OBP, 1st in slugging, 2nd in OPS. He's a number three hitter that is only a few runs behind Reyes and Rollins. Most importantly he's getting it done down the stretch. 12 HR, 26 RBI and 23 runs with a .351 BA and 1.292 OPS in 20 games in September.
Hmmm...you make a good case for him. I expect Fielder will get it, and I can see why, but I see your point for Holliday. Part of it is how much you think playing in Coors affects his numbers (and, of course, Coors isn't nearly like it was before the humidor).
Still, if *I* were giving out the award, it would go to Jake Peavy. His ERA is more than half a point better than anyone else's, and can you really say that anyone has done more to keep his team in the race? SD would be nowhere without him. But they too rarely give the MVP to pitchers.
Why does everyone keep handing the award to Fielder? The Brewers are all but eliminated (albeit through no fault of Prince's) and the Rockies are on fire. Holliday would be a great choice.
Originally posted by Big BadWhy does everyone keep handing the award to Fielder? The Brewers are all but eliminated (albeit through no fault of Prince's) and the Rockies are on fire. Holliday would be a great choice.
Because, he has almost singlehandedly kept them in it. I doubt many would complain with Holliday.
Even though the magic number is still 4, according to Deadspin (deadspin.com) these just came from the printers...the baseball gods look on with hard to read poker faces...
I'd like to jump on the Cubs' bandwagon, but they just lost to the freakin' MARLINS yesterday! Seriously, it's like NO ONE over there wants the division. Ah, the NL Central. May the worst team win.
Originally posted by It's FalseI'd like to jump on the Cubs' bandwagon, but they just lost to the freakin' MARLINS yesterday! Seriously, it's like NO ONE over there wants the division. Ah, the NL Central. May the worst team win.
ah, Willis pitched very well. They had just won like 7 out of 9 before that.
i'm not freaking out. i'm not freaking out. i'm not freaking out.
Okay, seriously, every team close the printers not only took money from it's season ticker holders for playoff tickets a month ago, but has printed them out and sent them to the season tickets holders already. Everyone who doesn't make it has to return them.
It's just normal preparation, but people are making a deal out of it because it's the Cubs. I'm sure the Braves World Series tickets look spiffy too.
The lead is down to 1 in the NL East, as the Mets keep working toward that impossible dream of gagging away a season-long division lead.
Barring a major collapse, the Yankees have clinched the final AL playoff bearth, leading Tampa 12-4 with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th.
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Originally posted by thecubsfani'm not freaking out. i'm not freaking out. i'm not freaking out.
Okay, seriously, every team close the printers not only took money from it's season ticker holders for playoff tickets a month ago, but has printed them out and sent them to the season tickets holders already. Everyone who doesn't make it has to return them.
It's just normal preparation, but people are making a deal out of it because it's the Cubs. I'm sure the Braves World Series tickets look spiffy too.
I know that all too well. Last year I got home from the game where my Sox got officially eliminated from the postseason to find the DHL box with my 2006 World Series tickets waiting for me. That sucked.
But still...its the Cubs. They should seriously make all W.S. tickets will call and print them up the morning of Game 1 if they make it just to be safe.
As a Yankee fan, and one that has suffered the past few post seasons, I think its funny to be having a show about breaking them up, when all they have done in recent history is get to the WS or Playoffs and not WON them.