With the season drawing to a close, the playoff races are really heating up. Only 2 teams have clinched at this time, so there are 6 open races. Here’s the run-down on the National League side.
National League
Like the AL, the NL East has been taken care of for a while. The Mets will use this time to give a few of the role players bigger roles, throw a few youngsters in the mix, and get the team tuned up for their march to the World Series.
The Phillies are the only other team in the East that has potential to make the playoffs. Currently, they are half a game back of the Dodgers for the Wild Card. For a team that was dumping players, they have made a pretty impressive run to get back in it. The Phils will finish their series at home with the Marlins, then play a make up game with the Astros on Monday; they then hit the road for 3 games series in Washington and Florida. Aces Randy Wolf and Brett Myers make 2 starts a piece.
The Cardinals, like many predicted, are closing to clinching the Central. Coming into the season, most people would have expected this to be a done deal; injuries and subpar play have resulted in a magic number of 5 going into the last week. The Cards finish up in Houston this weekend, then face San Diego and Milwaukee at home. They have their 2 most consistent starters, Jeff Suppan and Chris Carpenter, for 2 a piece. Carp is also making his push for back-to-back Cy Youngs.
Cincinnati is still within striking distance, sitting 5 ½ games back of the division and the wild card. The team has surprising stayed in the race thanks in large part to the re-built bullpen (although I still didn’t like the trade with Washington). The Reds have the Cubs at home for the next 3 days, then travel to Florida and Pittsburgh for 3 each. Bronson Arroyo and Jason Johnson are in line for 2 starts; things don’t look good if the season comes down to Johnson (who has been released twice this year).
The Astros are sitting with the Reds looking up at both races. Their lack of run support for the Clemens and the kids has hurt again, but they manage to stay in the race every year. After taking the first 2 from the Cardinals, the Astros face them 2 more times before traveling to Philadelphia for 1, Pittsburgh for 3, and Atlanta for 3. Rookie Wandy Rodriguez and vet Andy Pettitte take the mound for double starts in the coming week.
The NL West is the race to watch, since only the Rockies have been eliminated from going to the post season. San Diego is the current leader with a half game lead over the Dodgers; they also have a difficult schedule coming up. After 2 more games against the Pirates, they travel to St. Louis for 3 and Arizona for 4. David Wells and Woody Williams, both with pennant run experience, pitch twice next week.
The Dodgers, who currently hold the Wild Card, are keeping pace with the Padres. This is a streaky team, so they could dominate down the stretch or completely blow any playoff hopes. They finish up with Arizona this weekend before heading to Colorado for 3 and San Francisco for 3. Greg Maddux pitches twice.
The Giants (6 back) and Diamondbacks (9 back) haven’t been eliminated yet, but the odds aren’t in their favor; the D’backs will most likely be done today.
