Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Go Figure!

Prior to the conclusion of this evening’s games, most teams have between 30 to 32 games remaining in this season. It is time to start wondering; who has the best chance to make the wild card playoff spots? Who has the best chance to surprise everyone and make a late season challenge for either their division or the wild card?
Last year, the Yankees took the A.L. wild card with 94 victories and the Rockies took the N.L. wild card with 90 wins.
This year, the Red Sox are on track to take the A.L. wild card with 94 wins as are the Brewers on track for the N.L. wild card at 94 wins.
As it looks now, the A.L. divisional champs will be the Angels in the West, the Rays in the East, and the dog fight will continue between the White Sox and the Twins in the Central.
In the N.L. the Cubs should hold on in the Central, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers are too close to call in the West as are the Mets and the Phillies in the East.
To reach 94 victories and ensure a playoff spot, the following teams must finish their remaining games as noted below:

A.L.
LAA 15 – 17 A shoe-in to win the West with 99 wins
T.B. 15 – 18 They should win the East with 99 wins but the Red Sox could get hot!
CWS 19 – 12
BOS 20 – 12
MIN 20 – 11 Of CWS, BOS, and MIN, someone will be the odd man out!
NYY 24 – 8 Not this year!

N.L.
CHC 13 – 18 They will win the Central with 100 victories
MIL 18 – 13
NYM 21 – 9
STL 21 – 9
PHI 22 – 9 Of MIL, NYM, STL, and PHI, two teams will be on the couch in October!
ARI 26 – 5 Their only chance is to win the West outright!
LAD 29 – 2 Ditto!
COL 32 – 0 They can’t do it, they only have 31 games remaining…They need to stay hot and hope the Dodgers and Diamondbacks fold!

It looks like a wild, down to the wire finish for 6 of the 8 playoff spots…buckle up!

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