Divison Round Matchups

We're down to 8, with the #5 seeds upsetting the #4's in both leagues. Here's the breakdown:

National League

#5 Cubs vs. #1 Expos: Both clubs tended to win with offense this year - Cubs were #3 in runs and Montreal was #5 - and both were middle-of-the pack pitching-wise. The Frenchies did lead the league in fielding percentage, with the Cubs at #14 (57 more unearned runs than the Expos), so watch how the errors play out. They split their season series.

#3 Padres vs. #2 Braves: Classic offense/defense matchup: the Braves led the league in runs scored, while the Pads, with their "waves of relievers" strategy, allowed the fewest. But while Atlanta's pitching is also pretty impressive (3.98 ERA), San Diego had to scrap for every run (14th in scoring). Atlanta took the season series 6-4.

American League

#3 Boston vs. #2 Tampa Bay: The Rays took the season series 7-3 this year. The teams are just about dead-even on offense - Tampa Bay has a slight edge in pitching and posted the league's top fielding percentage. Player to watch: Donatello Bollea has been a deadly Ray-killer in previous years (0-1 in 2 starts this year); if he can revert to his Season 9 and 10 form (against the Rays, at least) for 2 starts (likely against Santos Lorenzo), it could be an early out for the defending AL champs.

#5 Rangers vs. #1 Athletics: Oakland was a statistical powerhouse this year, finishing 2nd in runs scores, first in Team ERA, and 3rd in fielding percentage. Texas was right behind the A's in scoring but will need to step up the pitching and play flawless defense to have a shot in this series. Oakland won the season series 7-3.

Poll Results - Who will hit more home runs?

#1 Vote Getter

Travis Murphy

Thanks to a young start to his career and more time to benefit from the steroid era, Travis Murphy was the top vote getter with 6 votes. Just behind with 5 votes, single-season record holder Dee Dee Hutton was another popular choice. While he has been very impressive in his short career, Vic Gonzales garnered only 3 votes.

All-Decade Team: Middle Reliever

Middle Reliever

Victor Lima

While he spent part of the decade as a starter, part of it as a closer, and part of as a middle reliever, he spent the entire decade thoroughly dominating hitters. His superb performance at wherever his manager wanted him was what earned his place on the All-Decade Team ahead of some very good middle relievers who spent the entire decade in that role. The final voting tally was as follows (20 votes):
Victor Lima (9) - 62 pts
Alfonso Trajano (4) - 55 pts
Turner Mordecai (2) - 24 pts
Wes Roosevelt (3) - 23 pts
Julio Romero (2) - 16 pts

Around the AL With 9 To Go

North
The Tigers have put together a nice 14-2 run since 6/17 PM2 to get to within 3 of the White Sox (8-7 over the same period). These teams hook up for a 3-game set to end the season. It's probably win the division or nothing for Detroit - despite their streak they're 5 games out of the second wild card.

East
Yanks have stumbled badly since the Pickford injury, suffering 7 and 5-game losing streaks recently. The Red Sox have capitalized, opening up a 4-game lead, with the two teams meeting in the final series.

South
Tampa Bay has clinched and will get one of the top 2 seeds. Kansas City, Texas and Charlotte are all solidly in the wild card picture...could be the second straight year with 3 playoff teams.

West
Oakland clinched awhile back and is a game up on the Rays for the #1 seed. Anaheim is still in the wild card hunt be needs to right the ship...the current L7 isn't helping.

Wild Card
Lots of juicy possibilities. The Royals have a leg up with a 3-game lead, but still have series with Tampa Bay and Texas. The Rangers, Knights and Yankees are all at 82-71...Charlotte and Texas have a series left. Anaheim is just a game back of those 3 and might have a slight schedule edge. The Tigers aren't toast yet but they better win most of their remaining games to stay in it.

Around the NL with 13 Games To Go

North
With a 9-game lead, Montreal has it all but wrapped up, but the Cubbies have a firm grip on the first wild card spot.
Key series: Cubs @ Cardinals, 4 games starting tomorrow night. A Cards series win could tighten up the wild card picture even more.

East
D.C. leads the Mets by 3 and the Phillies by 5.
Schedules: All three teams have all their remaining games with .500+ teams...this might come down to the last series of the season, when the Nationals visit the Mets for 3.

South
Atlanta has a comfy 7-game lead over St. Louis. The Cards are a game out of the 2nd wild card at the moment, and Houston is only within miracle range.
Key stretch: The Cardinals have against Philly, Chicago and Atlanta...if they can hang in through that stretch they get a relative break in Florida for the last series.

West
The Pads are 3 up on the Dodgers and 5 up on the Diamondbacks in another 3-contender division. L.A. is sitting in the #2 wild card at the moment but there are 4 teams within 3 games.
Key series: the current 4-gamer against Montreal. L.A. dropped the opener and needs to come back strong to hold onto the #6 seed.

Wild Card
Cubbies have the upper hand for now, but this looks like it'll change day-to-day until the last game.
Schedules
Cubs: best schedule of the bunch, wtih 3 more against Florida and a season-ending series with Cincy.
Dodgers: 2 with teams over .500, 2 with teams under
Cards: 3 teams over .500, 1 under
Mets: 3 teams over .500, 1 under
Diamondbacks: 2 teams over .500, 2 teams under
Phillies: 3 teams over .500, 1 under