Are you ready for another season of Major League Baseball? Pt.2!

[Ghost]

Jesus, this thing Is back! i never thought I was seeing it in the first page...

On another note, A Met Fan caught the Home-run ball by Bonds. Congratulations to him, he's looking at a very rare commodity.

A few other things:

Mets get pounded by Braves. Yippee.

Glavine got his 300th against Chicago, congrats to him. Hes probably the last person to ever reach 300 wins.

Beckett is tied for the lead with 14 wins, hopefully he'll win the Cy Young

Now that my notes are over, Lets go Mets and Red Sox, and lets keep this topic alive!

[mr_pikachu]

Rick Ankiel's back in the majors as an effective power-hitting outfielder, the Cardinals are back in the NL Central race, and Kip Wells is learning how to throw a baseball. Life is good!

Now to inject a little controversy into this thread. I read an interesting article earlier today about a study of umpiring bias...

Major League Umps Call More Strikes for Pitchers of Same Race

Frankly, I've long thought that although umpires sometimes blow the biggest calls in the game, they're an essential human element of the game. Also, we all know the power that stars command, as sometimes they get calls that other players wouldn't. And some officials are corrupt, as we've seen recently in various scandals. *coughDonaghycough* Those things are rather difficult to avoid in umpiring. But does this take that "human element" a step too far? Is this the finding that will finally prompt the league to work toward electronic officiating?

...If only we were right when we yell at the umps, "What are you, blind?"

[mr_pikachu]

Texas wins 30-3

No, it wasn't a football game. Thanks for asking.

[Ghost]

Texas wins 30-3

No, it wasn't a football game. Thanks for asking.

I thought it was the Football game when I first saw it too.

[Jeff]

Texas wins 30-3

No, it wasn't a football game. Thanks for asking.

The first time a team has scored 30 or more runs in a baseball game in 110 years according to the Baltimore Sun. It's pretty impressive, but just downright depressing when it's your team on the receiving end...

[mr_pikachu]

Well, the Astros have fired the only manager and GM who ever led them to a World Series. And the team has responded to this staff shake-up by giving up as many runs to the Cardinals as they have outs. Sure, it's 4-0 now, but if it continues... ^_^;

Oh, right. Almost forgot to mention... St. Louis is two games out now. We're not dead yet, people!


EDIT: *whistles softly*

Tampa Bay - yes, that Tampa Bay - has just bundled together 11 runs in the eighth against Baltimore. For any other team, it wouldn't be that noteworthy... but the Devil Rays?

Oh, and the Cards are up 7-0. Not that that's news, since everybody knew we were going to win anyway.

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Yay it looks like the Indians finally got rid of the slump that they were in since before the All-Star break. They are looking the best that they have all year, this is definitely the way that I would want them playing going into the playoffs if they make it. The only real problem is that the bullpen only has 3 reliable pitchers right now. But the starters have been great, and the offense has been good enough lately. Getting Josh Barfield out of the lineup has been huge, (addition by subtraction!! He was honestly making me feel like I was watching a National League game when he was playing... actually some pitchers do hit better than he does!!) and rookie Asdrubal Cabrera has been a great surprise. I think he is going to be a really good hitter. He hit a home run off of Johan Santana in his first ever at-bat against him, and then followed up with a single after that. He also tied up a game with 2 outs in the ninth against Kansas City. Offensively, I think he could turn into a hitter kind of like Detroit's Carlos Guillen.

(I am still kinda surprised that Cleveland has beaten Johan Santana 4 times this year. No other team has ever beaten him even 3 times in the same year. Cleveland may have single-handedly ruined his Cy Young award for this year. It's hard to believe that the anybody could do so well against such a good pitcher.)

I just hope that Cleveland makes it to the playoffs this year. They haven't been there since 2001, back when they were on that run where they were always one of the best teams. I got kinda spoiled growing up watching a baseball team that was always good and easily made it to the playoffs, and it really came as a shock to me when the Indians had to rebuild, I kinda thought that they were always going to be good. It was a good learning experience though, I am appreciating this a lot more now!! Going forward, the Indians could definitely benefit from another reliever stepping up, and if Travis Hafner can just finish out the season hitting somewhat like he did the last 3 years, (his OPS is down almost 250 points from his 2004-2006 averages!!) Cleveland could be quite tough. Sabathia (Cleveland has got to find a way to resign him before free agency hits after 2008) and Carmona can beat anybody when they are going good. (Various players in the central have commented that Carmona has the best natural "stuff" of anybody in the division, and that is pretty good when that is including guys like Sabathia, Santana, Verlander.) Carmona entered the year as the Indians' emergency starter, and has ended up as the co-ace of the team. I like his stuff better as the number 2 guy than Jake Westbrook, although Jake has been hot too, I just think he is more of a middle-rotation guy.

The only bad thing is that unless you have season passes, you have to register for a lottery to have the chance to buy playoff tickets this year, I have to register at noon today, and then they send e-mails to the winners in the middle of September. So, I am gonna register, and hope that I win, and that the Indians keep winning. I've never been to a playoff game before.

Wouldn't it be something if the Indians and Cubs met in the World Series? The two teams who have gone the longest times without winning it all? I bet that would get a lot of attention... but it would still be a huge disappointment to the team that came up short.

Tampa Bay - yes, that Tampa Bay - has just bundled together 11 runs in the eighth against Baltimore. For any other team, it wouldn't be that noteworthy... but the Devil Rays?

Actually Tampa Bay has some good hitters, it is just that they only have 1 really good starting pitcher, and one decent pitcher, and not much else as far as pitching goes. But their one starter, Andy Sonnanstine, grew up about 15 minutes away from my home, and was even born at the same hospital. And actually, my mom knows his girlfriend's grandmother. I've never actually met him though.

EDIT: Meh, the Indians beat Santana AGAIN!! He is now 0-5 against Cleveland, the first time that Cleveland has beaten a pitcher 5 times in a year in 50 years!! I mean, it is hard to believe that a team could beat one guy 5 times in a year, but especially a guy like Santana!! I am usually a pessimistic fan, (all Cleveland fans are.) but I must say... I am impressed!!

[mr_pikachu]

Okay, so it sounds like the Cards' Rick Ankiel used HGH in 2004. It's at least been confirmed that he ordered a year's supply of the steroid. And considering that, while there's obviously no proof that he ever used it, it's rather hard to believe that he just threw the cases of steroids in the garbage.

I don't know what to think. I mean, I'm a huge Cardinals fan. Maybe it's hypocritical of me, but I was always willing to let McGwire slide on the basis that the things we know he took were legal at the time. (And I still feel that way, actually. He didn't break any rules at the time, even if it was blatantly obvious what was coming.) But this case with Ankiel... ergh.

Sure, there are all the reasons in the world to look the other way, not the least of which being my personal fan support. The guy's likable, he was a pitcher at the time, he's not a superstar (well, not right now, anyway)... the list goes on. But as much as it pains me to say it, he did break the rules. He knowingly violated the rules of baseball.

My only question is how such a violation would be punished; one "strike" for the whole year's supply of HGH or a separate instance for every time he stuck a needle in his arm? Assuming they could prove it, that is, which they obviously can't. Not that it makes this story any better. If anything, a bit of clear-cut proof/disproof and the appropriate response would at least give a sense of closure and thus legitimacy to whatever happens for him and/or the team from this point on. But as it is now... ugh. The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach.

Well, at any rate... go Cardinals? *hopes for a come-from-behind win tonight*

[Pokemaster Ash]

Okay... Anyone paying attention to the NL Central has had to watch their blood pressure and stuff lately. The Cubs just won 3-2 against the Houston Astros in dramatic fashion, while the Brewers and Cardinals both lose. This brings the standings to the Cubs and Brewers once again tied for first place, and the Cardinals drop to 4 games back with not very many games left to play.

This one's gonna go down to the wire, but I'm certainly wishing that this, for the first time in 99 years, is finally the year for the Chicago Cubs.

And on a random note to the 30 run game, the Chicago Cubs technically hold the major league record for runs in a single game. The Chicago Colts (who eventually became the Cubs) scored 36 runs in a single game. Of course, this was well over 100 years ago.

[mr_pikachu]

Of course, this was well over 100 years ago.

Of course. ^_^

I really hope that it comes down to the wire... after all, there doesn't seem to be much of a chance for St. Louis to run away with the division. Right now I'm rather nervous, as the door's closing fast. The Cards have really got to stop giving away games...

But since you're a Cubs fan, I must make the obligatory declaration of eternal hatred. One moment, please.

*grabs megaphone*

DIE, YOU GRAVY-SUCKING PIG!

[mr_pikachu]

This is becoming something of a tradition toward the end of the year...




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Boston..........90..61.. .596...----.... 9
NY Yankees......86..64.. .573... 3.5....15
Toronto.........75..75.. .500...14.5....~~
Baltimore.......64..85.. .430...25.0....~~
Tampa Bay.......63..88.. .417...27.0....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Cleveland.......88..62.. .587...----.... 6
Detroit.........83..68.. .550... 5.5....18
Minnesota.......73..77.. .487...15.0....~~
Chicago Sox.....65..85.. .433...23.0....~~
Kansas City.....64..85.. .430...23.5....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
LA Angels.......88..62.. .587...----.... 4
Seattle.........79..70.. .530... 8.5....22
Oakland.........74..78.. .487...15.0....~~
Texas...........70..80.. .467...18.0....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Mets.........83..66.. .557...----....11
Philadelphia....81..69.. .540... 2.5....15
Atlanta.........77..73.. .513... 6.5....20
Washington......67..83.. .447...16.5....~~
Florida.........65..85.. .433...18.5....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Chicago Cubs....79..72.. .523...----....11
Milwaukee.......77..72.. .517... 1.0....14
St. Louis.......70..79.. .470... 8.0....21
Cincinnati......68..82.. .453...10.5....26
Pittsburgh......66..84.. .440...12.5....~~
Houston.........65..85.. .433...13.5....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Arizona.........84..67.. .556...----....11
San Diego.......82..67.. .550... 1.0....14
LA Dodgers......79..70.. .530... 4.0....16
Colorado........77..72.. .517... 6.0....18
San Francisco...67..83.. .447...16.5....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Yankees......86..64.. .573...----.... 9
Detroit.........83..68.. .550... 3.5....16
Seattle.........79..70.. .530... 6.5....20
Toronto.........75..75.. .500...11.0....24


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
San Diego.......82..67.. .550...----....12
Philadelphia....81..69.. .540... 1.5....15
LA Dodgers......79..70.. .530... 3.0....17
Colorado........77..72.. .517... 5.0....19
Milwaukee.......77..72.. .517... 5.0....19
Atlanta.........77..73.. .513... 5.5....19
St. Louis.......70..79.. .470...12.0....26




Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. The divisional magic number takes into account the divisional tiebreak of head-to-head record. Some of these records can still have their balance shift. At present, the leaders in each head-to-head matchup are assumed to be the leaders at the end of the season for the purposes of the magic number calculations. Wild card tiebreakers are decided by playoff games, so the wild card magic number determines the amount of games required to win outright.

**-Three teams cannot win the NL Wild Card outright. However, they can tie the current leader in the Wild Card race.





...

...

...

*gasps for air*


EDIT: It took me a couple of hours to put all of this together. Go ahead, quote this post. See how much code and junk there is.

*passes out*


EDIT2: Standings updated.

[Knight of Time]

Well, I'm betting both St. Louis and Toronto are going to fall out of playoff contention soon, it hasn't been too good a year for the defending WSC (I've got a cookie here for anyone who can guess what WSC stands for), and as for the latter team, well, baseball isn't really Canada's sport, so to any Blue Jays fans here, sorry to disappoint you, but I don't see them making the playoffs this year, or possibly any year in the future...unless they really SHAPE UP, they'll have to if they want to make a return to the only postseason in a sport that hasn't seen a Canadian team in so long.

Well, with Boston's lead shrinking once again, I'd say the Yankees have themselves a shot at yet another AL East pennant.

[Number1ChanseyFan]

(I've got a cookie here for anyone who can guess what WSC stands for)

World Series Champion?! Ok, where's my cookie? Chocolate Chip please!! ^_^

I can't believe that the Indians actually swept Detroit. They were so hot lately, and lined up their best pitchers for the series. Definitely the most exciting series in a loooooooong time. Even with the Magic Number down to 3 with 10 games left to play, I'm still not going to get too excited until it hits 0. Some bad news though... I got my e-mail today telling me that I didn't win the chance to buy Division Series tickets. I still have a shot at ALCS and World Series tickets if Cleveland makes it that far, so I will have to see if I win a chance to buy those. I'm going up to the game against Oakland this Friday though. They can't win the division at that game, but at least there will be fireworks after the game. I got to see the Indians when they won their last division-clinching game back in 2001. It was quite a cool experience, especially since I bought the tickets before the start of the year, and I had no idea that it was going to be such a special game. It was actually supposed to be the last game of the regular season when I bought them, but it simply became the last home game of the year after the Indians had their 2 series @ Kansas City and Toronto delayed until the week after the end of the regular season because of the terrorist attacks. But as it turned out, I got to see the whole division winning celebration on the field when they beat their year-long rivals, the Minnesota Twins... the last time they made it to the playoffs.

It would be great to see CC Sabathia win the Cy Young this year, although I kinda half-expect Josh Beckett to get it, especially if he makes it to 20 wins. They have had pretty similar years, although CC has thrown a lot more innings, but still, when a guy plays for one of the big-market teams, he is more likely to get attention.

[mr_pikachu]

Updated standings!




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Boston..........90..63.. .588...----.... 9
NY Yankees......88..64.. .579... 1.5....11
Toronto.........77..75.. .507...12.5....~~
Baltimore.......64..87.. .424...25.0....~~
Tampa Bay.......63..90.. .412...27.0....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Cleveland.......90..62.. .592...----.... 2
Detroit.........83..70.. .542... 7.5....18
Minnesota.......75..77.. .493...15.0....~~
Chicago Sox.....66..86.. .434...24.0....~~
Kansas City.....65..86.. .430...24.5....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
LA Angels.......90..62.. .592...----.... 2
Seattle.........81..70.. .536... 8.5....20
Oakland.........74..80.. .481...17.0....~~
Texas...........70..82.. .461...20.0....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Mets.........84..67.. .556...----.... 9
Philadelphia....82..70.. .539... 2.5....13
Atlanta.........79..73.. .520... 5.5....17
Washington......68..84.. .447...16.5....~~
Florida.........65..87.. .428...19.5....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Chicago Cubs....80..73.. .523...----.... 9
Milwaukee.......78..73.. .517... 1.0....12
St. Louis.......71..80.. .470... 8.0....19
Cincinnati......69..83.. .454...10.5....~~
Houston.........66..86.. .434...13.5....~~
Pittsburgh......66..86.. .434...13.5....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Arizona.........86..67.. .562...----.... 9
San Diego.......84..67.. .556... 1.0....12
Colorado........80..72.. .526... 5.5....15
LA Dodgers......79..73.. .520... 6.5....16
San Francisco...67..85.. .441...18.5....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Yankees......88..64.. .579...----.... 5
Detroit.........83..70.. .542... 5.5....18
Seattle.........81..70.. .536... 6.5....22


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
San Diego.......84..67.. .556...----.... 9
Philadelphia....82..70.. .539... 2.5....14
Colorado........80..72.. .526... 4.5....16
Atlanta.........79..73.. .520... 5.5....17
LA Dodgers......79..73.. .520... 5.5....17
Milwaukee.......78..73.. .517... 6.0....18





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. The divisional magic number takes into account the divisional tiebreak of head-to-head record. Some of these records can still have their balance shift. At present, the leaders in each head-to-head matchup are assumed to be the leaders at the end of the season for the purposes of the magic number calculations. Wild card tiebreakers are decided by playoff games, so the wild card magic number determines the amount of games required to win outright.



Looks like we've got a couple of teams on the verge of clinching...

[Knight of Time]

Um, how is Toronto out of playoff contention already, mr_pikachu?

I may not be a Blue Jays fan despite my Canadian citizenship (call me crazy to not like them, but that's just my opinion on how they fare much of the time), but I just checked the preview for their next game at the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers are leading the season series 8-6, so technically Toronto can still win the season series between the two teams, only if they sweep them in this four game set, which I don't see happening. And I thought they'd be eliminated from playoff contention if they do lose that next game to the Yankees.

BTW, Christen, here's your chocolate chip cookie, just as you wanted.

Where is there a chocolate chip cookie when you really need it on a message board?

Edit: n/m, now I realize why the Blue Jays are not making the playoffs, I overlooked both their and the Yankees' remaining games, they each have 10 left now, not 11, so yeah, the playoffs are once again staying in the United States only.

[mr_pikachu]

11 games > 10 games. Go math!

No, no standings update. Been too busy with other things this morning. Instead I have some comedy, courtesy of an awesome ESPN article.

...After our 18-1 blowout by, of all teams, the Astros, I could probably add a Cardinals section here. (Wandy Rodriguez shut us out for seven innings. Wandy Rodriguez. I know the Astros, and Wandy Rodriguez does not pitch well. He doesn't know how. And some call-up rookie named Towles isn't supposed to power Houston to their all-time most lopsided victory. IT ISN'T RIGHT, I TELL YOU!) But as the reigning World Series Champions, it wouldn't be very fitting.




Mets

Take it from a lifelong Mets fan: The only thing we like as much as -- and sometimes better than -- a Mets win is a Yankees loss.

Yeah, I know, everyone hates the Yankees, but nobody can hate them like Mets fans do. And that's why the Past 10 days or so are shaping up as our worst nightmare, as the Mets and Red Sox compete to see who can squander their division lead more quickly. I don't know who needs to be put on a plane to Siberia sooner, Guillermo Mota or Eric Gagne, but I do know they're both ruining my September (and, hence, my entire sorry life).

My team doing an unprecedented choke + my most hated team pulling off an unprecedented comeback = worst season ever. Nearly every day, the Mets' lead falls by another game, and so does the Yankees' deficit -- it's like watching the world collapse in slow motion. Wake me in November, because I can already see this is gonna get worse before it gets better.
-- Paul Lukas


Mariners

Are you nuts? YOUR TEAM IS STILL IN FIRST PLACE! You're still probably going to the postseason! What kind of pain is that? I would LOVE to trade places with you. Try being a Seattle fan. We just went through a week-long root canal without Novocaine followed by a two-week colonoscopy.

The Mariners were 3½ games up on the Yankees in the wild card Aug. 28, and now they're six games back. And you think you're miserable? Did you have Horacio Ramirez in your rotation? Did you have Rick White in your bullpen? And don't give me this, "Oh, no one else can feel our pain when it comes to Yankees" B.S. Trust me, New York Mets fans don't have a monopoly on hating the Yankees. WE HATE them out here, too.

DAMN YOU, David Justice!!!!!
-- Jim Caple


Braves

I have known the pain of Horacio Ramirez in the starting rotation, so let me get next. Try remembering your enthusiasm when your team made the biggest, splashiest deadline deal of the season (Mark Teixeira), realizing that addition has raked since he got to town, that your team has a better Pythagorean record than either team ahead of it in the standings, and your team still won't sniff the playoffs.

How you like that? You knew the Mariners weren't good. I know the Braves are, I think.

The Mets' tailspin should be opening the door to October for the Braves. Atlanta should be preparing to find a 14th way in 17 seasons to blow a postseason series. Instead, we're where we'll be until April -- third place. And it just doesn't make any sense. Great, now my head hurts again.

As for the Yankees, there's only one reason you know Jim Leyritz's name, and the thought makes my stomach hurt.
-- Bomani Jones


Red Sox

The Red Sox are in first place. Yeah, I know that. Get back to me this weekend when they get no-hit by Scott Kazmir.

What, because we won it all in 2004 we're supposed to be content? We shouldn't want to win it again? So, once a team wins it should play dead until everyone gets a chance to own a ring? We already have that in baseball -- it's called the NL Central.

The Sox are in first place. I heard all of you the first time. But right now I live in a world in which my team plays it old school. And by old school, I mean they show up to play 150 games a year. I live in a world in which the answer to Linda Cohn's question is, "Ass-clown rhymes with Gagne." I live in a world where apparently everyone on the roster has tickets to Disneyland because they can't wait to get to Anaheim. I hope all of your cable boxes break today and the only thing that comes in is "Fever Pitch." Now someone please inject me with whatever cocktail they put in Roger Clemens' elbow.
-- Mike Philbrick


Pirates

Seriously? You've got to be kidding me.

Oh! Woe is me! My team is in contention for the playoffs every year, yet sometimes we don't win the World Series and sometimes we don't even make the playoffs! It's terrible!

Shut up. The Pittsburgh Pirates have not had a winning season in 15 YEARS! Fifteen years. Not one winning season. Not one lousy 82-80 season. Not even 81-81. Heck, their best season since 1992 was a 79-83 record … and that came 10 YEARS AGO! So, please, kindly shut up. Fifteen years, people. Fifteen years. Every year being virtually eliminated by the end of May. Fifteen years. One more is an all-time record.

Yankees fans, you've won four World Series in that time and still had time to go on a World Series "drought." Poor, poor you.

Red Sox fans … just … just shut up. In general. You never stop complaining. Everyone else, let the Pirates know when you get to FIFTEEN consecutive losing seasons and then you can complain. By that time they'll be in the thirties.
-- DJ Gallo


Dodgers

I envy all your heightened sense of drama, your steep peaks and deep valleys. Dodger fans know nothing so dynamic. We're hovering, hanging in, dropping back, dropping a little further back, surging for a bit, and then dropping three straight games to the Rockies, which, while painful, is hardly the stuff of great theater.

We've had key injuries -- Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf. We've aged some -- Luis Gonzalez and Nomar Garciaparra. We've had young guys contribute and plateau. We've had experienced vets start off rough and then find a groove. We've lingered, tantalizingly close to glory but never quite arriving, never quite claiming it.

I asked a friend the other day how he thought it would end, whether he thought the Dodgers would make it to the postseason. "I think they'll hang around just long enough to truly disappoint me," he said. "I think they'll make me think it's possible and then leave it lying on the floor." Not as passionate as the anguish you guys are feeling, I guess, but miserable nonetheless …
-- Eric Neel


Orioles

I'm not an Orioles fan, but I can imagine what one would say if one still existed:

My fellow baseball fans, you have not suffered like us. You see, we have this pitcher named Daniel Cabrera. Big, tall guy, can throw a baseball through a cement wall. In the past month, he's started games the Orioles lost 30-3, 15-8 and 18-6. Yes, our baseball team gives up more points than our football team.

But that's just the beginning of our misery. Every season, we go in the tank in the second half like a bunch of farm-raised salmon. This year, we're 14-31 since Aug. 1. Last year, we went 29-43 after the break. In 2005, we were 47-40 at the break, and in the playoff chase; we went 27-48 the rest of the way. And who can forget 2002, when we collapsed with a 4-24 disgrace in September?

We've had 10 straight losing seasons -- even though we've been in the top half of team payroll eight times. This offseason, we spent $41.5 million on three free agent relievers. Who spends $40 million on set-up guys? Guess which team has the 29th worst bullpen ERA in the majors? Thank you, Danys Baez, for your three saves and 6.44 ERA. Thank you for making me watch games standing next to Boog's Barbecue because that's the only way I escape the stench you have filled Camden Yards.

And finally, we have as our owner … he who should not be named.
-- David Schoenfield


Tigers

Buck up, fellas. Has your team ever lost 119 games in a season? Huh? Hello … Bueller?

The Tigers went 19 years without a postseason berth, and for all we know it could be another 19 until the next. Even the Pirates haven't gone 19 years between playoff appearances! Detroit has lost 100-plus games three times since 1996 and had 12 consecutive losing seasons prior to last year. The Brewers have lost 100 games only once in their history.

Sure, the Tabbies clawed their way to the AL pennant last season, but if it weren't for the "craftiness" of Kenny Rogers, they would've been swept by the worst World Series champ ever. After this week's sweep at Cleveland, 2006 looks like a mere tease for the 38-year postseason drought to come.

Has your favorite team ever traded six players in order to rent Juan Gonzalez for a year? Did your team ever trade Luis Gonzalez and cash for Karim Garcia?!?! Now you understand why we riot after a championship.
-- Thomas Neumann


Brewers

I'm going to refrain from hyperbole. You all know of Milwaukee's woes. Other teams may be bad, but as Thomas illustrated, the Brewers are the italicized punchline that baseball scribes use when describing those mediocre clubs.

We had accepted the truth. Then, 34 games into the 2007 season, it happened: The Best Record In Baseball. We were soaring high on wings crafted from a rotation that couldn't lose, a "game over" bullpen and a lineup that only hit homers. But the swellness was fleeting. Our wings fell apart.

Mercifully, we're playing chicken with the Cubs, challenging them to see who can lose the most games and still reach October, and so long as that's happening, we're staying out of the water. But should the Brewers succumb in the end, after their most promising season … ever? … then you will see suffering never known by fans of the other teams on this list. Then you will see true heartbreak. And then you will see hyperbole.
-- Neil Janowitz


Cubs

Forget Bartman. Forget the goat. Forget the 99-year curse.

None of those alleged maladies -- assuming there's truth to any of them -- have anything to do with why the Cubs won't win again this season. No, the 2007 edition of the Chicago Orphans is a flawed team. Start with the lack of chemistry and go from there. So even if they win their minor-league division, Lou Piniella's band of misfit toys can plan their vacations for the second weekend in October.

And I don't want to hear about the how the Cardinals -- an organization with a championship mentality -- came from nowhere to win the 2006 World Series. Or that you don't have to be a great team to win it all, you only have to get hot at the right time. If that's all it takes, then the Cubs have been on the receiving end of Mr. Snow Miser's touch for the last century.

The only thing easing the pain this fall is the sheer folly of watching Notre Dame try to reach the end zone. But I'm convinced the Irish will score a touchdown -- even win a bowl game -- before the Cubs reach (notice I didn't say "win") another World Series.

After all, that streak will officially reach a not-so-mature 62 years and counting in the next couple of weeks, and then it will be time to close down the West Addison Beer Garden for another season and focus on the second longest drought in professional sports -- compliments of the Chicago Blackhawks.

That makes the rest of the complainers in this space nothing more than futility rookies.
-- David Albright


Yankees

I've had enough. Stop your whining. None of you have had as trying a year as me.

I had to watch Carl Pavano start on Opening Day. I had to watch Kei Igawa flounder worse than Hideki Irabu (while Dice-K and Okajima starred for the Red Sox). I had to watch guys like Chase Wright, Matt DeSalvo, Tyler Clippard, Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens make starts -- and Kyle Farnsworth come out of the pen. The Yankees were so desperate for pitching, I had to watch them throw a prorated $28 million at a 45-year-old, as well as break the team travel rules, to get him.

I had to watch good hitters like Bobby Abreu, Robinson Cano and Johnny Damon get off to atrocious starts. Heck, I had to watch the entire team get off to an atrocious start. And the one bright spot back then, A-Rod? I've spent the entire season waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In addition, I had to watch Brian Cashman fail to make a significant deal at the trade deadline, losing out on Eric Gagne. (On second thought …)

And don't forget about the loss of The Scooter.

Fortunately, we've gotten a boost from some young prospects -- particularly Joba Chamberlain -- and standard clutch performances from the veterans you refer to as "True Yankees": Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and, of course, El Capitan. (The second-best shortstop in New York, right Mets fans? LOL.)

Above all, you people just don't understand how it feels to have the entire baseball world -- really the entire sports world -- hate you and root against your team. You don't understand how it feels when anything less than winning a World Series seems like failure.

And you probably don't understand how much fun it is to be a Yankees fan right now.
-- Kieran Darcy

[Pokemaster Ash]

Now, now, the Cubs may have their flaws, but when they're firing on all cylinders, you better watch out. They can make things happen.

Of course, we're all aware of prior postseason woes (next person to bring up Bartman gets a baseball bat shoved someplace unpleasant), but it's pretty much a wait-and-see kind of thing. Even in the playoffs, you never know what's gonna happen. Remember the Boston Red Sox' surprise demolition of the Yankees and then World Series sweep in 04? And then there was the White Sox damn near sweeping the entire playoffs in 05 (I know I say I'm a Cubs fan, but I was cheering for them that year). Of course, what annoys the hell out of us Cubs fans, the Cardinals just barely crawling into the playoffs last year and somehow winning the World Series. Well there sure as hell won't be any repeating!

October is when the weird crap tends to happen. It's all in whether it helps or hurts your favorite teams.

[mr_pikachu]

Honestly, I think plenty of weird junk happens in September, too. Like St. Louis' inexplicable nine-game losing streak that all but eliminated them from contention.

(Incidentally, we're on a 2-13 run right now. That is a painful figure. Especially since if we'd played .500 ball during that stretch, we'd still be in the division race.)

I have it all worked out. In order for St. Louis to make the playoffs, the Cubs have to lose all nine of their remaining games, the Cards have to win all ten of theirs, and the Brewers must lose seven of their last ten. How's that for a scenario?

Moral of the story: If you want to defend your Wold Series crown, don't lose half your team to injuries, free agency, and drunken-driving deaths. Making like the Marlins and losing your championship players doesn't help you repeat!

[Knight of Time]

Yeah, for sure, if Milwaukee or Chicago clinches the NL Central, it's curtains for the Cards.

I myself am curious, how many think this may be Colorado's year? I'm not exactly a Rockies fan, but despite their past failures, I admit they've got a shot at the postseason...but with San Diego and Arizona in a dogfight for the NL West pennant, it could come down to the very last day of the regular season before that's clinched by one of the two teams, or Colorado for that matter. Baseball definitely can be full of surprises.

Speaking of surprises...

Well, to any San Fran fans here, this is going to be a shocker, Barry Bonds isn't going to be returning as a Giants player next season (they're letting him go after their season ends), I'm thinking it's because of his team's woes this year, despite his big HR milestone earlier this year. It's tough when such a thing happens, but I guess sometimes the players just have to move on, or be forced to.

[mr_pikachu]

That begs the question of whether he'll be returning to the majors at all. I don't think anyone would deny that he's a great player - he would've been a Hall of Famer even before he inflated - but one could certainly argue that he's more trouble off the field than he's worth on it. San Francisco's certain last-place finish in the NL West is evidence enough of the price you pay for Bonds.


EDIT: After looking more closely at the rules for divisional tiebreaks, I have made an adjustment to the magic number calculations.



AL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Boston..........91..63.. .591...----.... 7
NY Yankees......88..65.. .575... 2.5....12
Toronto.........78..75.. .510...12.5....~~
Baltimore.......65..88.. .425...25.5....~~
Tampa Bay.......63..91.. .409...28.0....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Cleveland.......91..62.. .595...----.... 2
Detroit.........84..70.. .545... 7.5....17
Minnesota.......75..78.. .490...16.0....~~
Chicago Sox.....67..87.. .435...24.5....~~
Kansas City.....66..87.. .431...25.0....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
LA Angels.......91..63.. .591...----.... 1
Seattle.........82..71.. .536... 8.5....~~
Oakland.........74..81.. .477...17.5....~~
Texas...........71..83.. .461...20.0....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Mets.........85..68.. .556...----.... 8
Philadelphia....84..70.. .545... 1.5....11
Atlanta.........80..74.. .519... 5.5....15
Washington......68..86.. .442...17.5....~~
Florida.........66..88.. .429...19.5....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Chicago Cubs....81..73.. .526...----.... 8
Milwaukee.......79..74.. .516... 1.5....11
St. Louis.......71..82.. .464... 9.5....~~
Cincinnati......71..83.. .461...10.0....~~
Houston.........68..86.. .442...13.0....~~
Pittsburgh......66..88.. .429...15.0....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Arizona.........87..67.. .565...----.... 8
San Diego.......85..68.. .556... 1.5....11
Colorado........82..72.. .532... 5.0....14
LA Dodgers......79..75.. .513... 8.0....~~
San Francisco...67..87.. .435...20.0....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Yankees......88..65.. .575...----.... 5
Detroit.........84..70.. .545... 4.5....14
Seattle.........82..71.. .536... 6.0....16


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
San Diego.......85..68.. .556...----.... 8
Philadelphia....84..70.. .545... 1.5....11
Colorado........82..72.. .532... 3.5....13
Atlanta.........80..74.. .519... 5.5....15
Milwaukee.......79..74.. .516... 6.0....16
LA Dodgers......79..75.. .513... 6.5....16





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. Because the divisional tiebreaker only takes the head-to-head record into account if both teams are assured a playoff berth, the magic number for both divisions and wild cards calculates the games required to win outright (unless, in the case of a division race, the top two teams have both clinched playoff berths).

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Yay!! The Indians won for me last night. It was a fun night, surprisingly warm for a September night. Detroit won too, so the Magic Number went down to 2. The back-to-back home runs were the best part of the game. Sometimes I worry that the Indians rely on the home runs a little too much, but when you are at the game, it really is the most exciting way to score. Especially back-to-back homers, which is much more fun than a 2-run homer IMO.

Oh, and last night was fireworks night. Cleveland seriously puts on the best fireworks displays that I have ever seen anywhere!! They also played a season highlights movie after the game while they were setting up the fireworks. Of course, they had to start off the movie with the Opening Day snowstorm and the series that was moved to Milwaukee because of snow. I still think it looks so funny to see all of that snow at that baseball game, because it justs seems like snow and baseball just don't go together, so that is what makes it so cool. The 4 game snow-series from Opening Day will finally be completely made up on Wednesday. XD

[mr_pikachu]

Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox for being the first team to clinch a playoff spot! Only seven places remain as the season winds down...




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
y-Boston........92..63.. .594...----.... 6
NY Yankees......89..65.. .578... 2.5....11
Toronto.........78..76.. .506...13.5....~~
Baltimore.......66..88.. .429...25.5....~~
Tampa Bay.......63..92.. .406...29.0....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Cleveland.......91..63.. .591...----.... 1
Detroit.........84..71.. .542... 7.5....~~
Minnesota.......75..79.. .487...16.0....~~
Chicago Sox.....68..87.. .439...23.5....~~
Kansas City.....67..87.. .435...24.0....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
LA Angels.......91..64.. .587...----.... 1
Seattle.........83..71.. .539... 7.5....~~
Oakland.........75..81.. .481...16.5....~~
Texas...........71..84.. .458...20.0....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Mets.........86..68.. .558...----.... 7
Philadelphia....85..70.. .548... 1.5....10
Atlanta.........81..74.. .523... 5.5....14
Washington......68..87.. .439...18.5....~~
Florida.........66..89.. .426...20.5....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Chicago Cubs....82..73.. .529...----.... 6
Milwaukee.......79..75.. .513... 2.5....11
St. Louis.......72..82.. .468... 9.5....~~
Cincinnati......71..84.. .458...11.0....~~
Houston.........68..87.. .439...14.0....~~
Pittsburgh......66..89.. .426...16.0....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Arizona.........88..67.. .568...----.... 6
San Diego.......85..69.. .552... 2.5....11
Colorado........83..72.. .535... 5.0....13
LA Dodgers......79..76.. .510... 9.0....~~
San Francisco...68..87.. .439...20.0....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Yankees......89..65.. .578...----.... 3
Detroit.........84..71.. .542... 5.5....14
Seattle.........83..71.. .539... 6.0....15


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
San Diego.......85..69.. .552...----.... 8
Philadelphia....85..70.. .548... 0.5.... 9
Colorado........83..72.. .535... 2.5....11
Atlanta.........81..74.. .523... 4.5....13
Milwaukee.......79..75.. .513... 6.0....15
LA Dodgers......79..76.. .510... 6.5....15





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. Because the divisional tiebreaker only takes the head-to-head record into account if both teams are assured a playoff berth, the magic number for both divisions and wild cards calculates the games required to win outright (unless, in the case of a division race, the top two teams have both clinched playoff berths).

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Yay!! The Indians have officially won the Central Division!! They are the first team to win their division this year.

A strange coincidence was mentioned during the game today... Exactly 10 years ago today, the Indians clinched the Central Division on this same day, on their 155th game. Today also happened to be Cleveland's 155th game of the year. Let's just hope that the similarities to 1997 end with that!!

Now mr_pika, hurry up and put the little x next to Cleveland, and maybe highlight them a pretty color!!

[mr_pikachu]

We have our first division champions! Congrats to the Indians and Angels!


EDIT: This just in: Paul and Teri Fields of Michigan City, IN have named their newborn son... Wrigley.

I'll give you a moment to process that one.




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
y-Boston........93..64.. .592...----.... 3
NY Yankees......90..67.. .573... 3.0.... 8
Toronto.........80..77.. .510...13.0....~~
Baltimore.......67..90.. .427...26.0....~~
Tampa Bay.......65..92.. .414...28.0....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
x-Cleveland.....93..63.. .596...----....++
Detroit.........86..72.. .544... 8.0....~~
Minnesota.......77..80.. .490...16.5....~~
Kansas City.....68..89.. .433...25.5....~~
Chicago Sox.....68..89.. .433...25.5....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
x-LA Angels.....92..66.. .582...----....++
Seattle.........83..73.. .532... 8.0....~~
Oakland.........75..83.. .475...17.0....~~
Texas...........74..84.. .468...18.0....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Mets.........87..70.. .554...----.... 4
Philadelphia....85..72.. .541... 2.0.... 8
Atlanta.........83..74.. .529... 4.0....10
Washington......71..87.. .449...16.5....~~
Florida.........67..90.. .427...20.0....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Chicago Cubs....83..74.. .529...----.... 4
Milwaukee.......81..76.. .516... 2.0.... 8
St. Louis.......73..84.. .465...10.0....~~
Cincinnati......71..86.. .452...12.0....~~
Houston.........69..88.. .439...14.0....~~
Pittsburgh......67..90.. .427...16.0....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
Arizona.........88..69.. .561...----.... 4
San Diego.......86..71.. .548... 2.0.... 8
Colorado........85..72.. .541... 3.0.... 9
LA Dodgers......80..77.. .510... 8.0....~~
San Francisco...70..88.. .443...18.5....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
NY Yankees......90..67.. .573...----.... 1
Detroit.........86..72.. .544... 4.5....~~


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT____GB_____MN
San Diego.......86..71.. .548...----.... 5
Philadelphia....85..72.. .541... 1.0.... 7
Colorado........85..72.. .541... 1.0.... 7
Atlanta.........83..74.. .529... 3.0.... 9
Milwaukee.......81..76.. .516... 5.0....~~





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. Because the divisional tiebreaker only takes the head-to-head record into account if both teams are assured a playoff berth, the magic number for both divisions and wild cards calculates the games required to win outright (unless, in the case of a division race, the top two teams have both clinched playoff berths).

**-The magic number of the New York Yankees has been adjusted, as they have the head-to-head advantage over the Boston Red Sox and would clinch a spot in the playoffs in the process of tying Boston.





Considering the team colors of the Red Sox, Indians, and Angels, we could be in for a red October...

[mr_pikachu]

My apologies for the double post, but I figure this story may be worth it.

Bonds' historic home run ball headed to HOF with asterisk

Honestly, I was expecting the non-asterisk result to win. Kinda disappointed, actually. I don't care about Bonds - this would just be hilarious if his reaction was all I considered - but I worry that this may tarnish the game itself.

Thoughts?



EDIT: All four spots in the AL have now been claimed. But the NL is still very much in question...


EDIT2: The entire year's coming down to the last series! Who will go on, and who will go home?

The final series of the year for all teams still in contention are as follows:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota (78-81) @ Boston (94-65)
NY Yankees (92-67) @ Baltimore (68-91)
Cleveland (94-65) @ Kansas City (68-91)
LA Angels (92-67) @ Oakland (75-84)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Florida (69-90) @ NY Mets (87-72)
Washington (72-87) @ Philadelphia (87-72)
Chicago Cubs (83-76) @ Cincinnati (71-88)
San Diego (88-71) @ Milwaukee (81-78)
Arizona (89-70) @ Colorado (87-72)

(Bolded teams in contention, AL bolded teams clinched playoff spot.)

The last two series are particularly crucial. While the Brewers have all but played themselves out of the postseason by missing several huge opportunities to gain ground on the Cubs, the NL West is still very much up in the air with the surging Rockies threatening to overtake Arizona and San Diego. Moreover, with all four teams in the wild card race within one game of each other (including the now-tied Mets and Phillies), this will be a spectacular finish. We could very well have multiple playoff games to decide who makes it through and who watches October from the bleachers...


EDIT3: Oh, and to add to the utter insanity, I give you... NL TIEBREAKER SCENARIOS!




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
y-Boston........94..65.. .591...--.... 2
y-NY Yankees....92..67.. .579... 2.... 5
Toronto.........81..78.. .509...13....~~
Baltimore.......68..91.. .428...26....~~
Tampa Bay.......65..94.. .409...29....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB____MN
x-Cleveland.....94..65.. .591...--....++
Detroit.........87..72.. .547... 7....~~
Minnesota.......78..81.. .491...16....~~
Chicago Sox.....70..89.. .440...24....~~
Kansas City.....68..91.. .428...26....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
x-LA Angels.....92..67.. .579...--....++
Seattle.........85..74.. .535... 7....~~
Oakland.........75..84.. .472...17....~~
Texas...........75..84.. .472...17....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
NY Mets.........87..72.. .547...--.... 4
Philadelphia....87..72.. .547...--.... 4
Atlanta.........83..76.. .525... 4....~~
Washington......72..87.. .453...15....~~
Florida.........69..90.. .430...18....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB____MN
Chicago Cubs....83..76.. .522...--.... 2
Milwaukee.......81..78.. .509... 2.... 6
St. Louis.......75..84.. .472... 8....~~
Houston.........71..88.. .447...12....~~
Cincinnati......71..88.. .447...12....~~
Pittsburgh......68..91.. .428...15....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
Arizona.........89..70.. .557...--.... 3
San Diego.......88..71.. .551... 1.... 5
Colorado........87..72.. .547... 2.... 6
LA Dodgers......80..79.. .506... 9....~~
San Francisco...70..89.. .440...19....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB____MN
y-NY Yankees....92..67.. .579...--....++


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB____MN
San Diego.......88..71.. .551...--.... 3
Colorado........87..72.. .547... 1.... 5
NY Mets**.......87..72.. .547... 1.... 5
Philadelphia**..87..72.. .547... 1.... 5




Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. Because the divisional tiebreaker only takes the head-to-head record into account if both teams are assured a playoff berth, the magic number for both divisions and wild cards calculates the games required to win outright (unless, in the case of a division race, the top two teams have both clinched playoff berths).

**-Tied for NL East lead.

[Pokemaster Ash]

And the Chicago Cubs have clinched the NL Central! Whoo hoo!

After smashing the Cincinatti Reds 6-0 and the Padres beat the Brewers 6-3, there is nothing left to say about the NL Central. It is over, the Cubs are the NL Central Division champs! Let the champagne (or whatever drink you've got on hand, I have water...) fly! The Cubs are headed to the playoffs, and let this FINALLY be the year!

[mr_pikachu]

Congratulations to the Arizona Diamondbacks for clinching a playoff spot!

And, uh...

...

...Congrats to the Cubs.


EDIT: Just one day left. One day, one game, one last chance...

Here's what we know:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Best League Record: Boston
Wild Card: NY Yankees
Remaining Division Champions (rank still to be determined): Cleveland, LA Angels

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Best League Record: Arizona
#3 Ranked Division Champion: Chicago Cubs
#2 Ranked Division Champion: NY Mets or Philadelphia
Wild Card Contenders: San Diego, NY Mets, Philadelphia, Colorado

...And here are the final games for teams whose fates are still in question:

Florida (70-91) @ NY Mets (88-93) - 1:10 p.m. ET
Washington (73-88) @ Philadelphia (88-73) - 1:35 p.m. ET
San Diego (89-72) @ Milwaukee (82-79) - 2:05 p.m. ET
Cleveland (95-66) @ Kansas City (69-92) - 2:10 p.m. ET
Arizona (90-71) @ Colorado (88-73) - 3:05 p.m. ET
LA Angels (94-67) @ Oakland (75-86) - 4:05 p.m. ET




AL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
z-Boston........96..65.. .596...--....++
y-NY Yankees....93..68.. .578... 3....~~
Toronto.........83..78.. .516...13....~~
Baltimore.......69..92.. .429...27....~~
Tampa Bay.......65..96.. .404...31....~~

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB____MN
x-Cleveland.....95..66.. .590...--....++
Detroit.........87..74.. .540... 8....~~
Minnesota.......78..83.. .484...17....~~
Chicago Sox.....72..89.. .447...23....~~
Kansas City.....69..92.. .429...26....~~

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
x-LA Angels.....94..67.. .584...--....++
Seattle.........87..74.. .540... 7....~~
Texas...........75..86.. .466...19....~~
Oakland.........75..86.. .466...19....~~



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
NY Mets.........88..73.. .547...--.... 2
Philadelphia....88..73.. .547...--.... 2
Atlanta.........84..77.. .522... 4....~~
Washington......73..88.. .453...15....~~
Florida.........70..91.. .435...18....~~

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB____MN
x-Chicago Cubs..85..76.. .528...--....++
Milwaukee.......82..79.. .509... 3....~~
St. Louis.......77..84.. .478... 8....~~
Houston.........72..89.. .447...13....~~
Cincinnati......71..90.. .441...14....~~
Pittsburgh......68..93.. .422...17....~~

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB____MN
z-Arizona.......90..71.. .559...--....++
San Diego.......89..72.. .553... 1....~~
Colorado........88..73.. .547... 2....~~
LA Dodgers......82..79.. .509... 8....~~
San Francisco...70..91.. .435...20....~~





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB____MN
y-NY Yankees....93..68.. .578...--....++


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB____MN
San Diego.......89..72.. .553...--.... 1
NY Mets.........88..73.. .547... 1....~~
Philadelphia....88..73.. .547... 1....~~
Colorado........88..73.. .547... 1....~~





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
MN - Magic Number*
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Playoffs
z - Clinched Best League Record


*-The magic number is the number of games required to win the division, whether they are your own wins or losses by the top competitor. Because the divisional tiebreaker only takes the head-to-head record into account if both teams are assured a playoff berth, the magic number for both divisions and wild cards calculates the games required to win outright (unless, in the case of a division race, the top two teams have both clinched playoff berths).

**-The head-to-head results between Arizona and San Diego have been factored into the NL West magic number, because a tie would give both teams a playoff berth.

[mr_pikachu]

The regular season is now over! Here are your final standings!





AL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB
z-Boston........96..66.. .593...--
y-NY Yankees....94..68.. .580... 2
Toronto.........83..79.. .512...13
Baltimore.......69..93.. .426...27
Tampa Bay.......66..96.. .407...30

AL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB
x-Cleveland.....96..66.. .593...--
Detroit.........88..74.. .543... 8
Minnesota.......79..83.. .488...17
Chicago Sox.....72..90.. .444...24
Kansas City.....69..93.. .426...27

AL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB
x-LA Angels.....94..68.. .580...--
Seattle.........88..74.. .543... 6
Oakland.........76..86.. .469...18
Texas...........75..87.. .463...19



NL EAST__________W___L____PCT___GB
x-Philadelphia..89..73.. .549...--
NY Mets.........88..74.. .543... 1
Atlanta.........84..78.. .519... 5
Washington......73..89.. .451...16
Florida.........71..91.. .438...18

NL CENTRAL_______W___L____PCT___GB
x-Chicago Cubs..85..77.. .525...--
Milwaukee.......83..79.. .512... 2
St. Louis.......78..84.. .481... 7
Houston.........73..89.. .451...12
Cincinnati......72..90.. .444...13
Pittsburgh......68..94.. .420...17

NL WEST__________W___L____PCT___GB
z-Arizona.......90..72.. .556...--
San Diego.......89..73.. .549... 1
Colorado........89..73.. .549... 1
LA Dodgers......82..80.. .506... 8
San Francisco...71..91.. .438...19





AL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB
y-NY Yankees....94..68.. .580...--


NL WILD CARD_____W___L____PCT___GB
San Diego.......89..73.. .549...--
Colorado........89..73.. .549...--





Legend
W - Wins
L - Losses
PCT - Winning Percentage
GB - Games Back
Team - Out of Playoff Contention
x - Clinched Division
y - Clinched Wild Card
z - Clinched Best League Record

2007 MLB Playoffs

NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) @ Colorado (89-73) - Monday, October 1 @ 7:37 p.m. ET





AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS. LA Angels (94-68)

LA Angels @ Boston - Wednesday, October 3 @ TBD
LA Angels @ Boston - Friday, October 5 @ TBD
Boston @ LA Angels - Sunday, October 7 @ TBD
Boston @ LA Angels - Monday, October 8 @ TBD*
LA Angels @ Boston - Wednesday, October 10 @ TBD*


Cleveland (96-66) VS. NY Yankees (94-68)

NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Thursday, October 4 @ TBD
NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Friday, October 5 @ TBD
Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Sunday, October 7 @ TBD
Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Monday, October 8 @ TBD*
NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Wednesday, October 10 @ TBD*



NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS. Chicago Cubs (85-77)

Chicago Cubs @ Arizona - Wednesday, October 3 @ TBD
Chicago Cubs @ Arizona - Thursday, October 4 @ TBD
Arizona @ Chicago Cubs - Saturday, October 6 @ TBD
Arizona @ Chicago Cubs - Saturday, October 7 @ TBD*
Chicago Cubs @ Arizona - Tuesday, October 9 @ TBD*


Philadelphia (89-73) VS. San Diego (89-73) or Colorado (89-73)

TBD @ Philadelphia - Wednesday, October 3 @ TBD
TBD @ Philadelphia - Thursday, October 4 @ TBD
Philadelphia @ TBD - Saturday, October 6 @ TBD
Philadelphia @ TBD - Sunday, October 7 @ TBD*
TBD @ Philadelphia - Tuesday, October 9 @ TBD*





AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBD 1 VS. TBD 2

TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 13 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Tuesday, October 16 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Thursday, October 18 @ TBD*
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD*
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD*



NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBD 1 VS. TBD 2

TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Thursday, October 11 @ TBD
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Sunday, October 14 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Wednesday, October 17 @ TBD*
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 19 @ TBD*
TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD*





WORLD SERIES

AL Champion VS. NL Champion

NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
AL Champion @ NL Champion - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
AL Champion @ NL Champion - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
AL Champion @ NL Champion - Monday, October 29 @ TBD*
NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD*
NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD*



*-if necessary

[Drusilla]

Ah, well... I still love my 'stros. I'll never forgive my boss for making me work this afternoon during Biggio's last game... I missed most of the season, thanks to not having a TV until about six weeks ago, and even then not being able to watch games for various other reasons...

There's always next year, right? I'm SO PROUD of Brandon Backe for that homerun last night! He and I graduated from the same high school and had a few of the same teachers... GALVESTON PROUD! Hells yeah.

[mr_pikachu]

After tonight's 13-inning marathon of a tiebreaker between division rivals, the NL Wild Card has at last been decided! Welcome to the postseason, Colorado!

Now... let the playoffs begin!

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston leads 2-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston @ LA Angels - Sunday, October 7 @ 3:00 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Boston @ LA Angels - Monday, October 8 @ 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 5*: LA Angels @ Boston - Wednesday, October 10 @ 8:30 p.m. ET




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland leads 2-0

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Sunday, October 7 @ 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Monday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Wednesday, October 10 @ 5:00 p.m. ET






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona leads 2-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona @ Chicago Cubs - Saturday, October 6 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Arizona @ Chicago Cubs - Saturday, October 7 @ 1:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Chicago Cubs @ Arizona - Tuesday, October 9 @ 10:00 p.m. ET




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)
Colorado leads 2-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia @ Colorado - Saturday, October 6 @ 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Philadelphia @ Colorado - Sunday, October 7 @ 10:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Colorado @ Philadelphia - Tuesday, October 9 @ 6:30 p.m. ET






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBD 1 VS TBD 2
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 2: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 13 @ TBD
Game 3: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 4: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Tuesday, October 16 @ TBD
Game 5*: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Thursday, October 18 @ TBD
Game 6*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBD 1 VS TBD 2
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Thursday, October 11 @ TBD
Game 2: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 3: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Sunday, October 14 @ TBD
Game 4: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 5*: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Wednesday, October 17 @ TBD
Game 6*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 19 @ TBD
Game 7*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

AL Champion VS NL Champion
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD

*-if necessary




EDIT: And now, to commemorate the Mets' historic collapse, I offer you 44 reasons for their failure!

1. The Curse of Bobby Bonilla.

2. The Curse of Kevin Mitchell's Ex-Girlfriend's Cat.

3. Marketing slogan "Your Season Has Come" was pretty much a gift-wrapped jinx waiting to happen.

4. Shouldn't have brought back Vince Coleman to light the fuse for the special division-winning fireworks show.

5. Jose Reyes in April: .356/.442/.596, "Best player in baseball"; Jose Reyes in September: .214/.290/.348, "Hey, that's how Rey Ordonez used to hit."

6. Stuck with a meager $101 million payroll instead of $199 million payroll like the Yankees.

7. They lacked the enthusiasm necessary to win, unlike this guy.

8. When the most solid part of your team is the bench (Endy Chavez, Ramon Castro, Ruben Gotay, Marlon Anderson), it might be a sign that some other parts -- like, oh, the starting rotation, the bullpen, the defense, the clutch hitting -- need some work.

9. Everyone knows Tom Glavine hits the wall at 200 innings ... why did Willie Randolph try to squeeze even one-third of an inning more out of him?

10. Why, oh why, bring back Timo Perez as a pinch runner?

11. Staff ERA by month: April, 2.96; May, 3.73; June, 4.20; July, 4.50; August, 4.93; September, 5.14.

12. Shouldn't have benched Hope Solo.

13. Players turned against each other after team-wide fantasy football draft in early September.

14. Lastings Milledge is no Willie Mays.

15. Maybe management should have realized Carlos Delgado can't hit lefties anymore (.267/.318/.386).

16. Let's see: Ramon Castro hits 11 homers in 144 at-bats while Paul Lo Duca hits nine homers in 445 at-bats. Oh, and did we mention Lo Duca grounded into 18 double plays? See, here's the thing: Lo Duca may be perceived as a leader in the clubhouse, but Castro is the better player.

17. Mr. Met got distracted by his midseason election to the Hall of Fame.

18. Well, that 6-12 record against the Phillies sure didn't help.

19. David Wright's lady wore a T-shirt to Shea Stadium that only said "fudge."

20. Too wrapped up in Brett Favre's historic chase to concentrate on the task at hand.

21. Scoffed at the idea of signing Roger Clemens because he'd be toast by September.

22. Rickey Henderson says Rickey should have played instead of coached.

23. Glavine suffered a concussion after being sacked by Osi Umenyiora.

24. Team distracted that Mr. Met was being investigated by Mitchell committee for the suspicious size of his head.

25. Designated Julio Franco for assignment on July 13, raising team's average age.

26. Team chemistry broke down after Moises Alou introduced a secret handshake.

27. Don't have that awesome 1-2 set-up crew of Jose Mesa and Antonio Alfonseca like the Phillies do.

28. Bill Belichick was stealing the Mets' signals.

29. Not enough Facebook friends.

30. Probably shouldn't have honored the '93 Mets back in that touching on-field ceremony.

31. Well, there was that 7-3 lead they blew to the Nationals on Sept. 18.

32. And that 7-4 lead they blew to the Marlins in the bottom of the ninth on Sept. 20.

33. And that three-game set against the Nationals during Sept. 24-26 in which the Mets allowed 32 runs against the NL's lowest-scoring team.

34. Pat Burrell hit 19 homers with 60 RBIs in the second half.

35. Jimmy Rollins played baseball while Jose Reyes sulked.

36. The Phillies overcame an injury to MVP candidate Chase Utley ... while the Mets resorted to using Guillermo Mota over and over and ...

37. In some convoluted way, the departure of Anna Benson must be to blame.

38. Maybe that start given to Chan Ho Park on April 30 wasn't such a good idea.

39. Anderson Hernandez just isn't a "True Met."

40. Mets just wanted to ensure they'd get the cover of the New York Post.

41. No inspiring speech from Pedro about plunking Richie Ashburn in the rear end.

42. Players wanted to clear their schedules to watch exciting postseason baseball.

43. Umm, the bullpen?

44. Because they're not the Yankees.


EDIT2: Rockies to share postseason payout with Coolbaugh's widow

Comments?

[mr_pikachu]

D-Backs advance! Cubs go home early!


EDIT: And Colorado moves on as well! Congrats to the Diamondback and the Rockies!

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston leads 2-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston @ LA Angels - Sunday, October 7 @ 3:00 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Boston @ LA Angels - Monday, October 8 @ 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 5*: LA Angels @ Boston - Wednesday, October 10 @ 8:30 p.m. ET




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland leads 2-0

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Sunday, October 7 @ 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 4*: Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Monday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Wednesday, October 10 @ 5:00 p.m. ET






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona wins 3-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago Cubs 1




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0)
Colorado wins 3-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBD 1 VS TBD 2
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 2: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 13 @ TBD
Game 3: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 4: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Tuesday, October 16 @ TBD
Game 5*: TBD 1 @ TBD 2 - Thursday, October 18 @ TBD
Game 6*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: TBD 2 @ TBD 1 - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Arizona (90-72, 3-0) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0, 3-0)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Colorado @ Arizona - Thursday, October 11 @ TBD
Game 2: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 3: Arizona @ Colorado - Sunday, October 14 @ TBD
Game 4: Arizona @ Colorado - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 5*: Arizona @ Colorado - Wednesday, October 17 @ TBD
Game 6*: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 19 @ TBD
Game 7*: Colorado @ Arizona - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

AL Champion VS NL Champion
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD



*-if necessary

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Did anybody else see that bug-infested Cleveland/New York game on Friday? That was really amazing, once in awhile those gnats will come around, especially in August, but there are never that many!! They had such perfect timing too, they were absolutely driving the Yankees nuts, especially reliever Joba Chamberlain. They were still around when the Indians were pitching, but for whatever reason, they didn't seem to be bothered by them. Its not like the Indians are exactly used to those bugs or anything... they couldn't have come at a better time, with the Indians continually stranding runners on base the whole night, with Andy Pettitte constantly pitching into and out of trouble. It seemed like the Indians would never break through, until those bugs/angels in disguise came along!! It was such a big win too. I would have been more than a little concerned about the Indians going to Yankee Stadium needing to win at least one game with Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd pitching those games. Those two have been pretty good, but I just don't know if they can control the powerful Yankee hitters like Sabathia and Carmona did, because let's face it, they are decent, but as far as natural stuff goes, neither Byrd or Westbrook are as talented as Sabathia and Carmona, and it seems like it takes an above-average fastball to have success against the Yankees, it seems like they hit finesse pitching much better than power pitching, which is kinda the opposite of the Indians. Of course, the Yankees also have issues with their pitchers, with Roger Clemens having a sore hamstring, and them not knowing who will even start games 4 or 5 for them if it gets to that point.

I would love for the Indians to just finish this series up today. I am all for drama and the series going to their last game when I am just watching some other teams playing, and I am disappointed when the series get too lopsided, but now that the Indians are in, I just hope for them to take care of things quickly.

Of course, the Indians winning may mean the end of Joe Torre as the Yankees manager, which would be a shame IMO, because I really respect his managing a lot, and I think that no matter how much your payroll is, it is pretty unrealistic to demand that your team wins the World Series every year, as Steinbrenner expects of his Yankees. Torre may have been the only person in the world that could have got the Yankees to the playoffs after their terrible start, with all of the pressure and stuff that goes on in New York.

And to Mets fans: I told you that Guillermo Mota was horrible, it just took a little while for it to show up!! I tried to tell you!!

[mr_pikachu]

Steinbrenner: Yankees must win or Torre likely gone

And there you have it. One of the best managers in baseball is just one loss away from losing his job.

Frankly, Torre could get the managing role just about anywhere with his reputation. Even if the Yanks do come back, I'll almost be surprised if he doesn't quit after all this nonsense. I'd be fed up.


EDIT: And Boston completes their sweep! This leaves only the Indians-Yankees series undecided...

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston wins 3-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston 9, LA Angels 1




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland leads 2-1

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland 4, NY Yankees 8
Game 4: Cleveland @ NY Yankees - Monday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: NY Yankees @ Cleveland - Wednesday, October 10 @ 5:00 p.m. ET






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona wins 3-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago Cubs 1




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0)
Colorado wins 3-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Boston (96-66, 3-0) VS TBD 2
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: TBD 2 @ Boston - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 2: TBD 2 @ Boston - Saturday, October 13 @ TBD
Game 3: Boston @ TBD 2 - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 4: Boston @ TBD 2 - Tuesday, October 16 @ TBD
Game 5*: Boston @ TBD 2 - Thursday, October 18 @ TBD
Game 6*: TBD 2 @ Boston - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: TBD 2 @ Boston - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Arizona (90-72, 3-0) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0, 3-0)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Colorado @ Arizona - Thursday, October 11 @ TBD
Game 2: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 3: Arizona @ Colorado - Sunday, October 14 @ TBD
Game 4: Arizona @ Colorado - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 5*: Arizona @ Colorado - Wednesday, October 17 @ TBD
Game 6*: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 19 @ TBD
Game 7*: Colorado @ Arizona - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

AL Champion VS NL Champion
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: AL Champion @ NL Champion - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: NL Champion @ AL Champion - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD



*-if necessary

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Ouch... only 14 outs away from finishing this series, and Jake Westbrook fell apart... Not being able to add on after scoring those first 3 runs hurt a little bit too, and the Yankees were able to adjust to Westbrook and wait for him to make some mistakes. I am hopeful for tonight, but I expect this series to go back to Cleveland for 5 games now... Personally, I think that I would start CC Sabathia on 3 days rest tonight, and if that doesn't work out, then Carmona goes on regular rest on game 5. It isn't as risky as it was in years past, because there is now a day off between games 4 and 5, so starting a game 1 pitcher on short rest in game 4 doesn't mean that you are also starting your game 2 pitcher on short rest in game 5. (Which happened to Cleveland against Boston in 1999, and ended up as a disaster.) I just don't know if Paul Byrd can control that Yankees lineup or not, it is a little worrisome, he is the kind of pitcher that the Yankees love to hit. But, worst case situation is that they go back to Cleveland, have CC Sabathia going, and also have Carmona available in an emergency, so even if they lose tonight, they still have at least a fighting chance.

[mr_pikachu]

Sabathia or not, the Indians win! Congratulations to Cleveland, and condolences for Joe Torre.

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston wins 3-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston 9, LA Angels 1




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland wins 3-1

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland 4, NY Yankees 8
Game 4: Cleveland 6, NY Yankees 4






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona wins 3-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago Cubs 1




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0)
Colorado wins 3-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Boston (96-66, 3-0) VS Cleveland (96-66, 3-1)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Cleveland @ Boston - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 2: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 13 @ TBD
Game 3: Boston @ Cleveland - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 4: Boston @ Cleveland - Tuesday, October 16 @ TBD
Game 5*: Boston @ Cleveland - Thursday, October 18 @ TBD
Game 6*: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: Cleveland @ Boston - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Arizona (90-72, 3-0) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0, 3-0)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Colorado @ Arizona - Thursday, October 11 @ TBD
Game 2: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 12 @ TBD
Game 3: Arizona @ Colorado - Sunday, October 14 @ TBD
Game 4: Arizona @ Colorado - Monday, October 15 @ TBD
Game 5*: Arizona @ Colorado - Wednesday, October 17 @ TBD
Game 6*: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 19 @ TBD
Game 7*: Colorado @ Arizona - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

Boston/Cleveland VS Arizona/Colorado
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD



*-if necessary

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Yay!! Cleveland's in the ALCS for the first time since 1998!! And yeah, I do think that firing Joe Torre would be a mistake for the Yankees... although dumping A-Rod might not be a bad idea... and people are saying that if he opts out, he will get even more money then he is making now?! For what?! Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about the Indians being interested in him, so it's not for me to worry about. Somebody will likely regret getting him though. Maybe he needs someplace low-pressure or something... but how many teams are in low-pressure situations that could actually afford to pay him?

Eric Wedge really did a good job managing last night... Byrd was in trouble all night, but managed to avoid the big hit in every inning and staying one step ahead of New York's hitters. Wedge made sure to get him at the first sign of tiring, and everything worked out great!!

The Boston series is going to be entertaining for sure.. Boston has the stars that always seem to come up big, Big Papi, Schilling, Beckett, and even Manny Ramirez. It is so much fun seeing Cleveland up against these teams, playing in those historical parks. I am glad that they don't play until Friday though, I need some time off, these games are too intense... Especially when the Yankees kept trying to sneak back into that game last night, a run at a time... making me more and more nervous, just waiting for them to finally finish the game... yeah I know I need a life!! ^_^

[mr_pikachu]

You don't need a life. Nobody really needs a life.

Apparently players and managers all around baseball are speaking in support of Torre... will that be enough to stop Steinbrenner from firing one of the best managers in the game?

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston wins 3-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston 9, LA Angels 1




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland wins 3-1

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland 4, NY Yankees 8
Game 4: Cleveland 6, NY Yankees 4






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona wins 3-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago Cubs 1




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0)
Colorado wins 3-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Boston (96-66, 3-0) VS Cleveland (96-66, 3-1)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Cleveland @ Boston - Friday, October 12 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
Game 2: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 13 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 3: Boston @ Cleveland - Monday, October 15 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
Game 4: Boston @ Cleveland - Tuesday, October 16 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Boston @ Cleveland - Thursday, October 18 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: Cleveland @ Boston - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Arizona (90-72, 3-0) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0, 3-0)
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Colorado @ Arizona - Thursday, October 11 @ 8:37 p.m. ET
Game 2: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 12 @ 10:18 p.m. ET
Game 3: Arizona @ Colorado - Sunday, October 14 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Arizona @ Colorado - Monday, October 15 @ 10:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Arizona @ Colorado - Wednesday, October 17 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 19 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Colorado @ Arizona - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

Boston/Cleveland VS Arizona/Colorado
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD



*-if necessary

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Meh, it would just seem strange to see somebody else managing the Yankees. I saw a surprising article yesterday that said that if this is in fact the end of Torre in New York, he is leaving a mixed legacy, because of his early success, followed by constant playoff failures. Mixed success?! I think that any team in baseball would love to experience the success that Torre had, 12 seasons, 12 trips to the playoffs, 4 World Series wins... who wouldn't love a 12 year run like that? The Marlins are the only team in MLB that has even won it all twice since Torre took over as the Yankees manager, so he has double the World Series championships of the next closest individual competitor during his current tenure, and one third of the total World Series' won. Pretty good run IMO, I think anybody would like a run like that. I mean, us Indian fans look back to the "glory days" as being the 1995-2001 seasons, winning the division 6 out of 7 years, advancing to the ALCS 3 out of 6 times, and then moving on, and losing the World Series, 2 times. So I hardly think that Torre has a mixed legacy. There just is no way that Steinbrenner can seriously expect his team to win the World Series every year. You can spend and spend and spend, but people get hurt, people can have off years, even small market teams can come up with a Fausto Carmona, a young, tremendous talent, as talented as can exist, who comes up through the minors, and who can't be bought for any amount of money... at least for another 5 or so years. And anything can happen in a short series, I mean, baseball is a strange game, a team can get hot, and just roll through the playoffs. The better teams don't always win. If that was true, then New York never would have lost a game to Tampa Bay. Losing a short series doesn't mean that a team is a total failure... it happens. In a 2-4 game regular season series and a 5 or 7 game playoff series, almost anything could happen. There really isn't a team in the world that I would really be comfortable playing in a must-win short series... you just have to do your best, hope that you have a little bit of luck, and go out and play the game... just don't do anything stupid and beat yourselves, and see what happens

And even through all this controversy, Torre called up Wedge and congratulated him for the series win... I think that the firing (Not necessarily him leaving, if he does so of his own power) of Joe Torre would have a pretty effect on that organization, and people will start to realize that Torre's "mixed" results were about as good as it gets in this game.

So... who does everybody want to win the World Series this year?

[mr_pikachu]

So... who does everybody want to win the World Series this year?

Rockies. I'm pretty much pulling for the ultimate underdogs with that pick, for obvious reasons. (The only possible bigger underdog would be the now-eliminated Cubs, and if I ever rooted for them to win it all, I'd just have to kill myself.)

If not Colorado, then Cleveland. Both 'zona and the Sox have won it all in fairly recent history. So if none of my favorites are in the competition, I have to support the less fortunate teams. It's just my charitable nature.


EDIT: This article made me laugh for 20 minutes straight.

2007 MLB Playoffs



NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD TIEBREAKER

San Diego (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73)

Tiebreaker: San Diego 8, Colorado 9 (13)






AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Boston (96-66) VS LA Angels (94-68)
Boston wins 3-0

Game 1: LA Angels 0, Boston 4
Game 2: LA Angels 3, Boston 6
Game 3: Boston 9, LA Angels 1




Cleveland (96-66) VS NY Yankees (94-68)
Cleveland wins 3-1

Game 1: NY Yankees 3, Cleveland 12
Game 2: NY Yankees 1, Cleveland 2 (11)
Game 3: Cleveland 4, NY Yankees 8
Game 4: Cleveland 6, NY Yankees 4






NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Arizona (90-72) VS Chicago Cubs (85-77)
Arizona wins 3-0

Game 1: Chicago Cubs 1, Arizona 3
Game 2: Chicago Cubs 4, Arizona 8
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago Cubs 1




Philadelphia (89-73) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0)
Colorado wins 3-0

Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2






AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Boston (96-66, 3-0) VS Cleveland (96-66, 3-1)
Boston leads 1-0

Game 1: Cleveland 3, Boston 10
Game 2: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 13 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 3: Boston @ Cleveland - Monday, October 15 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
Game 4: Boston @ Cleveland - Tuesday, October 16 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Boston @ Cleveland - Thursday, October 18 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Cleveland @ Boston - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD
Game 7*: Cleveland @ Boston - Sunday, October 21 @ TBD




NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Arizona (90-72, 3-0) VS Colorado (89-73, 1-0, 3-0)
Colorado leads 2-0

Game 1: Colorado 5, Arizona 1
Game 2: Colorado 3, Arizona 2 (11)
Game 3: Arizona @ Colorado - Sunday, October 14 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Arizona @ Colorado - Monday, October 15 @ 10:00 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Arizona @ Colorado - Wednesday, October 17 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Colorado @ Arizona - Friday, October 19 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Colorado @ Arizona - Saturday, October 20 @ TBD






WORLD SERIES

Boston/Cleveland VS Arizona/Colorado
Series tied 0-0

Game 1: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 24 @ TBD
Game 2: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, October 25 @ TBD
Game 3: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Saturday, October 27 @ TBD
Game 4: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Sunday, October 28 @ TBD
Game 5*: Boston/Cleveland @ Arizona/Colorado - Monday, October 29 @ TBD
Game 6*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Wednesday, October 31 @ TBD
Game 7*: Arizona/Colorado @ Boston/Cleveland - Thursday, November 1 @ TBD



*-if necessary

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Wow, that was certainly scary/disturbing last night... I hope that Boston just got all of that hitting out of their system last night... Those hitters just don't chase anything that isn't a strike, its like nothing was fooling them last night, almost like the pitches are standing still for them or something. Meh, New York scored more runs this year, but this lineup looks tougher. Cleveland couldn't even retire Ramirez or Ortiz one time last night. And what happened to Sabathia's control?! Tonight, Carmona must pitch like he did against the Yankees, and get out of Boston with a split, although Schilling isn't much easier than Beckett to beat, especially in the playoffs.