The MLB season is winding to a close as races for playoff spots heat up leading to the fall classic. Many teams have been eliminated at this point, mathematically and logically, some are coasting to division championships and some will actually have to fight to make it in.
See You Next Year
Tampa Bay, Toronto, Baltimore, Cleveland, Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland, NY Mets, Washington, Milwaukee, Houston, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, San Diego, Arizona
The biggest surprises here are Tampa Bay and Cleveland. The Rays struggled to find enough quality pitching to balance the offense as Scott Kazmir (traded) and David Price never reached expectations. The Indians were expected to contend for a division crown and were selected by many to get it, but they faltered out of the gates and never got close.
Counting the days until October
Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals
The Yankees returned to dominate form this year, finally balancing their vaunted offense with above average pitching. They have the league’s best record (94-53), most runs scored (843) and second-best run differential (+149). The Cardinals are the surprise here, having added major pieces in Matt Holiday and Mark Derosa to push themselves over the top in the NL Central.
The Angels and Red Sox have each made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons (neither made 2006) while the defending champs will make their third straight trip as NL East winners.
Holding on; Threatening
Detroit, Minnesota, Dodgers, Rockies, Giants
The Dodgers hold a five game lead over the Rockies in the West, who hold a three and a half game lead over the Giants for the NL Wild Card.
The Rockies just held off the Giants to keep their lead where it is and will face the Dodgers in the last series of the season. The Giants have three at LA this weekend but will finish with nine of 13 against ARI/SD. The Dodgers will play at WASH/PIT/SD between their series hosting SF/COL, so they are in great position to keep the division locked up.
The Rockies need to take care of the bad teams left on their schedule (ARI/SD/MIL) so that games against STL and at LA will not decide their fate. The Giants have the easiest schedule but will need help from here on out if they plan to make a trip to the playoffs. My gut says they won’t get the chance, with the Dogers and Rockies holding the spots the currently occupy.
The Tigers have the toughest test ahead of them with two-plus weeks to play. They hold a four game lead on Minnesota, but have seven games remaining with the Twins. They also play six against the third place White Sox, totaling 13 of their final 16 against the teams chasing them (the other 3 @ CLE). The Twins have six with the Royals and three at Chicago, giving them an easier route if they can take a few from the Tigers.
Detroit’s pitching, their strength for most of the year, has let them down at the worst time of the season. The Twins lost Justin Morneau, but have shown under manager Ron Gardenhire that you can’t ever count them out. I like the Twins to sneak into the playoffs and leave Detroit stunned.
Time to channel our inner 2007 Rockies
White Sox, Rangers, Braves, Marlins, Cubs
The Braves, Marlins and Cubs are 4.5, 5 and 7 games behind Colorado for the NL Wild Card, respectively. The problem is that they all need each other to lose as well as the Rockies and Giants. The Cubs have virtually no shot, while the Braves and Marlins need to nearly win out and have the Rockies and Giants falter big time. I’m not saying it’s over, but it’s over.
The Rangers are six behind the Red Sox for the AL Wild Card and 6.5 behind the Angels in the West. They do have six left with ANA, but they have struggled in the second half, going 32-28 since last holding a division lead on July 10th. Coming in as losers in five of six, all home dates with SEA/OAK, the Rangers look more dead than alive.
The White Sox are probably worse than some of the teams in the “See you next year” group, but they find themselves with a chance to shock the world, regardless. They have nine games left with the Twins and Tigers, and with those two teams playing seven with each other they could stun the baseball world. They won’t, though, and this is why:
” Of course we’re watching, and when we see that they(Detroit) lose we know we need to go out and take care of business”, said by Chicago rookie third baseman Gordon Beckham when asked if they where aware of how the Tigers had played earlier in the day.
What happened to just winning? Regardless of if the team(s) in front of them win or lose, these guys should have one thing on their minds night in and night out: Just win. You’re chasing two teams in a division race, you don’t have the luxury of being able to lose a game here or there, let alone going 4-6 in your last ten.
We’ll save you a seat for the ALDS in New York, Gordon. I know you like to watch.
