2008 Pennant Races

[cjwct]

Mets82 . . . who needs a bullpen when starters are going 7 or 8 innings . . . Ayala is looking great!

 

[Mets82]

That's true, cjwct. The only thing is how long can this go. Can the starters keep going 7 or 8 innings for the rest of the year. Can the bullpen hold up? They need more than Ayala in the bullpen. It can't all fall on his shoulders.
If they can keep it up, then they'll be in very good shape.

 

[cjwct]

As we knew last night before the game, Maine is hopeless . . . so, when we go Johan, Martinez, Perez, Pelfry . . . that is 6 - 7 innings/ piece . . . not a bad rotation for playoffs (hoping we survive September) . . . and we push Maine to bullpen

 

[BillD1984]

8/24/08*****5 Weeks left...............35 Days left in regular season******


AL EAST
Tampa Bay.......................79-50................-
Boston.............................75-55...............4.5

AL CENTRAL
Chicago..........................74-55..................-
Minnesota......................74-56..................0.5

AL WEST
Los Angeles...................79-50..................-
Texas.............................63-68.................17
SEATTLE- Elimination number: 2

AL WILDCARD
Boston..........................75-55..................-
Minnesota.....................74-56.................1
New York.......................70-60.................5
SEATTLE- Elimination number: 6

ALDS Matchups
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY:
(1) Tampa Bay vs. (3) Chicago
(2) Los Angeles vs. (4) Boston
********************************************************

NL EAST
New York.........................72-59.....................-
Philadelphia.....................71-59.....................0.5
Florida.............................67-64......................5
WASHINGTON- Elimination number: 6

NL CENTRAL
Chicago..........................80-50.......................-
Milwaukee......................76-55......................4.5


NL WEST
Arizona...........................68-62......................-
Los Angeles...................65-65.......................3

NL WILDCARD
Milwaukee......................76-55......................-
St. Louis.........................73-59.....................3.5
Philadelphia...................71-59......................4.5
WASHINGTON- Elimination number: 2

NLDS Matchups
IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY:
(1) Chicago vs. (3) Arizona
(2) New York vs. (4) Milwaukee

 

[BillD1984]

This week's big series:

American League

CHW-BAL (M-Tu-W)
MIN-SEA (M-Tu-W)
BOS-NYY (Tu-W-Th)
TOR-TB (Tu-W-Th)

MIN-OAK (Th-F-Sa-Su)
CHW-BOS (F-Sa-Su)
TOR-NYY (F-Sa-Su)
BAL-TB (F-Sa-Su)



National League

CHC-PIT (M-Tu-W)
ARZ-SD (M-Tu-W)
NYM-PHI (Tu-W)
MIL-STL (Tu-W)
LAD-WSH (Tu-W-Th)

PHI-CHC (Th-F-Sa-Su)
MIL-PIT (F-Sa-Su)
NYM-FLA (F-Sa-Su)
STL-HOU (F-Sa-Su)
LAD-ARZ (F-Sa-Su)

 

[SabresRule]

Given the comatose state of the Nationals (poor crowds, lack of fan support), I now understand why Soriano bolted for the Cubs.

 

[BillD1984]

Given the comatose state of the Nationals (poor crowds, lack of fan support), I now understand why Soriano bolted for the Cubs.

It's too bad. That's a beautiful new park they play in.

 

[BillD1984]

The Phillies completed a four game sweep of the Dodgers, and outscored L.A., 27-5. The Phils remain a half game behind the Mets in the NL East.

 

[Mets82]

Well, that has changed. I know you usually post the races and standings, Bill, but I figured I'd beat you to it for obvious reasons. What a game and a tough loss. It wasn't really the bullpen tonight but Pedro.
Manuel should've pulled him earlier on. I give the bullpen credit or at least Heliman. 3 scoreless innings for him that will probably be erased the next game he pitches because he'll probably give up 4 runs in an inning.
What a tough loss. How do you blow a 7-0 lead. You want to root for your team but I had a feeling they'd lose. Wonder Why? You shouldn't have that feeling most of the time.

 

[BillD1984]

It wasn't really the bullpen tonight but Pedro.
Manuel should've pulled him earlier on.

Replace "Manuel" with "Little" and I think you know my worst nightmare!

 

[KCK_Halo]

Angels' Magic Number

Well, since the L.A. Times had it in bold letters this morning I guess it's OK to start the countdown...

The Angels' Magic Number is 15 to clinch the AL West!!!!

 

[BillD1984]

Well, since the L.A. Times had it in bold letters this morning I guess it's OK to start the countdown...

The Angels' Magic Number is 15 to clinch the AL West!!!!

Yep, and Seattle's elimination number is down to 1. One Angels win OR one Mariners loss officially eliminates the M's from the AL West race.........before Labor Day!

 

[BillD1984]

Don't look now, but the Rockies are only 5.5 games out of first (pending their game vs. SF tonight) in the hapless NL West! The D-Backs just got swept in San Diego and the Dodgers have lost five in a row (and are losing again tonight to the Nats). Could the Rockies come out of nowhere like they did last year?

 

[SabresRule]

Bill, your Red Sox have hammered another nail into the Yanks' coffin.

Bay had 4 RBI's.

 

[Mets82]

The Mets come back and win tonight. Delgado has 30 home runs. Do you think with Willie gone that all of a sudden Delgado is having a great year.

 

[cjwct]

METS OVER PHILS BACK TO 1ST AND .5 GAME LEAD . . . BRING ON SEPTEMBER . . .

 

[cjwct]

I just pulled out my tix for the series with the Phils at Shea . . . that might be the weekend to dictate the winner

 

[BillD1984]

Bill, your Red Sox have hammered another nail into the Yanks' coffin.

Bay had 4 RBI's.

First two games at Yankee Stadium in a Red Sox uniform: Jason Bay 5 for 8 and 6 RBI's. In his previous six games at The Stadium in a Pirates uniform: 2 for 25! Jay Bay was named player of the game both last night and tonight on NESN, and David Cone (analyst for YES) said, "Jason Bay is stepping in for Manny as a Yankee killer"! The Red Sox are now 16-7 since "The Trade", and Bay is hitting .351 with 4 HR's and 24 RBI's in 23 games in a Red Sox uniform.

Also, the Sox other key acquistion, Paul Byrd went 6 gutty innings and pitched awesome when there were men on base. Byrd is now 2-1 with the Sox, and is 6-1 with a 2.42 ERA overall since the ASB. Now the Sox have added Mark Kotsay (another gutty, high character guy) to the mix, and I am LOVING this team right now!

It was also awesome to hear the Yankees announcers on YES, question why the Yankees didn't attempt blocking the Red Sox from getting Paul Byrd. Instead they are stuck with the likes of Sidney Ponson.

 

[cjwct]

METS PHILLIES
3 @ Marlins 3 @ Marlins
3 Marlins 3 Marlins
3 @ Brewers 4 Brewers
3 Phillies 3 @ Mets
4 @ Nationals 3 @ Nationals
2 Nationals 3 Nationals
3 @ Braves 3 @ Braves
3 Braves 3 Braves
4 Cubs 4 @ Cubs

Remaining: 28 Remaining: 29

Home/Away: 12/15 Mets
13/16 Phillies

Bottom Line: No excuses for either team . . . whoever wants it most, will get it!

I see 2 variables for Mets winning it in addition to being a huge Mets fan:
1. Home series against Phils
2. Phils have to go to Chicago

 

[Mets82]

we are going to have to sweat it out, though. It's going to be tough. We just got to pull ahead a little more away from the Phillies.