Off to the Races
Each August 1, I begin to book my postseason hotels for the purpose of coverage for Newsday, matching the current standings with the playoffs schedule. Then I adjust them accordingly, as the standings change.
Here is what the playoffs would look like if the season ended today:
National League
Mets (1) vs. Dodgers (4)
Diamondbacks (2) vs. Cubs(3)*
*I'm giving the seeding edge to the Diamondbacks over the Cubs because Arizona has three more victories; they're even in the loss column. Obviously, by season's end, the contenders will have played the same number of games, if necessary.
American League
Red Sox (1) vs. Indians (4)*
Angels (2) vs. Tigers (3)
*Once again, for argument's sake, I'm awarding Cleveland the half-game edge over Seattle. The Indians and Mariners are even in the loss column.
We have bona-fide races in five of the six divisions, with only the AL East a cakewalk for the Red Sox, and both wild-card competitions are tight, as well.
Two of my preseason picks _ the Rangers (AL West) and Giants (NL wild card) _ are toast. Three _ the Red Sox, Tigers and Diamondbacks _ are right where they should be, leading their divisions.
The Brewers just fell out of the NL Central lead last night; the Yankees are now just two games back for the wild card; and the Phillies, crushed by injuries, have a very tough road to the NL East title, especially with the Braves dominating the trade deadline and the Mets still leading. Nevertheless, as I've stressed here in the past, I believe in sticking to one's preseason picks, no matter how dumb they can make you look (as many of you seem to recall, I picked Hidalgo for the 2005 AL MVP. Good Lord.)
What do you see happening the rest of the way? Can the Mets hang on? Will the Yankees keep this up and surge past Cleveland and Seattle? Put your predictions down here, and we'll see who has bragging rights on Sept. 30.
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Comments (5)
I don't want to jinx them, but I believe the Yankees will get the wild card. I'm just not afraid of either Cleveland or Seattle and believe the Yankees can beat either team when playing at their best level. They'll probably not catch Boston, but we'll see.
I ezpect Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, and Angels in the playoffs for the AL, and Mets, Braves as wild card, Cubs, and Dodgers for the NL.
A lot of good races goingn on in baseball now. I have to admit the wild card, which I hated at first, has turned out to be great for baseball. So many teams believe they're still in it.
I was suprised to hear you say that you think the Phils will beat out the Mets, Ken. I know the Mets aren't a great team, but they have far fewer holes. The Phillies have shown some grit through their injuries, but I think the Mets will keep them at a distance.
I agree on a logical basis, Darren, but I feel obligated to sink or swim with my preseason predictions, if there's even a shred remaining of them working out.
Gotcha, Ken. My preseason pick of the Tigers as the World Series champs is starting to make me queasy, but I'm likewise sticking with it.
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