Isn’t it funny how when it looks like all is settled for postseason, up pops another race?
September’s been a rather dull month for bold pennant races unlike last year where it seemed like everything was coming down to the final Sunday. Right now, the Yankees have clinched everything in sight in the American League. The Red Sox are the Wild Card and the Los Angeles Angels own the West. In the National League, the divisions appear decided, Philadelphia – east; St Louis – central; and the Los Angeles Dodgers (finally) – west.
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
The red hot race is in the American League Central for the division title. Detroit leads Minnesota by four games but guess who’s coming to Motown for the next four nights? Yep! The Minnesota Twins. The Twins are surging while the Tigers seem to be barely hanging on. The Twins start Nick Blackburn (11-11) 4.18 ERA against Rick Porcello (14-9) 4.14 ERA in tonight’s contest. In the following contests: Brian Duensing, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker will start for the Twins while Justin Verlander, Eddie Bonine, and Nate Robinson will counter for the Tigers. Detroit has one of the best home records in all of baseball in 2009.
After this decisive series, Detroit hosts the Chicago White Sox, a team that mailed it in weeks ago while the Twins return to the Dome, the last regular season baseball games ever to be played there as Target Field opens next April to face the Kansas City Royals. While that would seem an easy assignment, the Royals will give Zack Greinke one last start attempting to solidify his shot for the Cy Young award.
Choosing favorites in the Detroit/Minnesota match-up is a daunting task. Right now, Minnesota is clearly the hotter team but can that momentum be halted by Detroit’s fine home play despite their erratic play recently? While two games isn’t much, the Twins must win 3 out 4 to end the series tied with the Tigers. A sweep would be sweeter!
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
It looked like Colorado had nailed down the last playoff berth as the San Francisco Giants faded, but no one was paying attention to the Atlanta Braves. While Colorado has gone 6-4 in their last ten games, Atlanta posted an 8-2 mark. Additionally, the Braves have the Florida Marlins and then the hapless Washington Nationals at home to finish their season. Meanwhile, Colorado hosts Milwaukee before travelling to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers to close the year.
Colorado maintains a 2 ½ game lead but a two game advantage in the loss column. This could get interesting!!!
September’s been a rather dull month for bold pennant races unlike last year where it seemed like everything was coming down to the final Sunday. Right now, the Yankees have clinched everything in sight in the American League. The Red Sox are the Wild Card and the Los Angeles Angels own the West. In the National League, the divisions appear decided, Philadelphia – east; St Louis – central; and the Los Angeles Dodgers (finally) – west.
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
The red hot race is in the American League Central for the division title. Detroit leads Minnesota by four games but guess who’s coming to Motown for the next four nights? Yep! The Minnesota Twins. The Twins are surging while the Tigers seem to be barely hanging on. The Twins start Nick Blackburn (11-11) 4.18 ERA against Rick Porcello (14-9) 4.14 ERA in tonight’s contest. In the following contests: Brian Duensing, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker will start for the Twins while Justin Verlander, Eddie Bonine, and Nate Robinson will counter for the Tigers. Detroit has one of the best home records in all of baseball in 2009.
After this decisive series, Detroit hosts the Chicago White Sox, a team that mailed it in weeks ago while the Twins return to the Dome, the last regular season baseball games ever to be played there as Target Field opens next April to face the Kansas City Royals. While that would seem an easy assignment, the Royals will give Zack Greinke one last start attempting to solidify his shot for the Cy Young award.
Choosing favorites in the Detroit/Minnesota match-up is a daunting task. Right now, Minnesota is clearly the hotter team but can that momentum be halted by Detroit’s fine home play despite their erratic play recently? While two games isn’t much, the Twins must win 3 out 4 to end the series tied with the Tigers. A sweep would be sweeter!
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
It looked like Colorado had nailed down the last playoff berth as the San Francisco Giants faded, but no one was paying attention to the Atlanta Braves. While Colorado has gone 6-4 in their last ten games, Atlanta posted an 8-2 mark. Additionally, the Braves have the Florida Marlins and then the hapless Washington Nationals at home to finish their season. Meanwhile, Colorado hosts Milwaukee before travelling to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers to close the year.
Colorado maintains a 2 ½ game lead but a two game advantage in the loss column. This could get interesting!!!
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