Posted on 09/24/2013 3:47:19 PM PDT by campaignPete R-CT
For the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in MLB's postseason. The Bucs clinched at least a spot in the wild-card game after a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs that ended with a bizarre play at the plate, and a 4-3 loss by the Washington Nationals to the St. Louis Cardinals. The loss eliminated the Nats from contention.
The Cincinnati Reds are playoff-bound as well, after beating the New York Mets, 3-2 in 10 innings. The focus over the regular season's final six days now shifts to the NL Central race, which the Cards still lead by two games over the Pirates and Reds.
Lost in the NL happenings Monday: The Detroit Tigers were unable to clinch a playoff berth in the American League. They lost, 4-3 in 11 innings, to the Twins in Minnesota.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportingnews.com ...
It is hard to see how the final week will hold as much excitement ...
Tiebreaker rules off the MLB site ...
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/playoff-tiebreaker-rules?ymd=20130904&content_id=59527184&vkey=news_mlb
the AL tiebreakers for seeding are
OAK over DET and both over BOSTON
contrary to the belief of some, OAK has clinched the tiebreaker over BOS
http://www.athleticsnation.com/2013/9/23/4765064/magic-numbers-and-games-to-watch-09-24-2013
and it is ATL over LAD and both over STL
head-to-head GRID
http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/grid
Wild cards took all of teh excitement out of pennant races, and is part of the reason I no longer follow MLB.
Go Dodgers, I guess.
I watched the Rays/Orioles game, and was hoping for another inning, so they could tie the record. They set the record for the most pitchers used in one game.
Gnats screwed the pooch last season, saving Strasbourg for something or another.
Tonight’s notable Games
Chicago WS @ Cleveland 7:05 PM
TB @ NYY 7:05 PM
NYM @ Cincinnati 7:10 PM
Milwaukee @ Atlanta 7:10 PM
Houston @ Texas 8:05 PM
Pittsburgh @ Chicago Cubs 8:05 PM
Detroit @ Minnesota 8:10 PM
Washington @ St Louis 8:15 PM
Boston @ Colorado 8:40 PM
Oakland @ LAA 10:05 PM
Kansas City @ Seattle 10:10 PM
LAD @ SF 10:15 PM
Rangers are 15-2 this year against the Stros....Against the rest of the league......70-69.
In a way by playing in the Western Division, is like being spotted 10 wins over the teams in the other divisions.
Go Cubs!
oops, wrong year, wrong century.
Wrong planet.
The season plus the Playoffs are so long — still, a one-game WC round seems too short. 3 games, maybe ...
Debby Downer
Let’s go Bucs!!!!!
No way to treat a fellow Gator !
The thing about the one game WC playoff, is that now it places much more importance on winning the division than before.
tiebreakers:
PITT over STL
STL over CINN
PITT-CINN tiebreaker to be determined this weekend. head-to-head they are 8-8 with 3 to play.
TEX over TB
TB over CLEVE
CLEVE over TEX
3-way tie:
CLE 7-5
TB 7-6
TEX 5-8
So it would be TB @ CLE on MON, with the winner going to the wildcard game. The loser plays @ TEX on TUES to determine the other entry.
Wrong galaxy.
Perhaps, but all 3 NL Central qualifiers could end up many games better than the West Div. Dodgers, and one WC game to decide doesn’t seem right.
Tampa already winning 3-0 against the Stankees.
Tonight, the Spotlight is on:
Hector Santiago
Brad Peacock
Chris Rusin
among others. One of whom may come up big in a big spot.
Either TEX has to start winning or STL has to start losing to make things interesting.
The Pirates won’t go very far in the playoffs, but it’s still sweet to have a winning season after 21 years.
As we say here, the Pirates done good.
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