With the regular season now over, what a way to end it? Four games to decide two wild card spots. Yankees @ Rays, Red Sox @ Orioles, Cardinals @ Astros and Phillies @ Braves. Where to go and what to watch. Thank God for Pic-N-Pic and live streaming online. Just think, a week ago, there was a chance of a 3-way tie for the Wild Card spot in the AL. The Angels decided they didn't want to be in the playoffs. The story I think no one is talking about is how the Yankees holding the Red Sox playoff hopes in their hands. Like some sort of bad, ironic joke. I know Boston fans had to be sick about that but all the Sox had to do is win. Yeah, I know, easier said then done. Especially after the September we have all just seen.
Did the Yankees "pack it in" and give the Rays a chance to catch the Red Sox? Its debatable but you can make an argument either way. The stat that stands out first is that the Rays, coming into last nights game, had won 8 out of 17 games against the Yankees. With last nights win, the Rays and Yankees are tied at 9 for wins head to head on the season. Bottom line, regardless of it all, the Rays had to score runs and they did with timely hitting and good pitching. The Rays earned their way into the playoffs and can actually do some damage. Rangers could be in for a fight.
Meltdown, choke, implode. Any of these three words describe both the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox. Both with big leads at the beginning of September and both home for the winter. Lack of heart comes to mind. Both of these teams have a history of folding at the wrong time on multiple occasions. The Red Sox and their 86 year championship drought has been well documented. The Braves, with all those division championships in the '90s and only one championship to show for it. In a small way, are we really surprised. The question isn't how these teams melted down, but how will they recover?
A much more quiet story is the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards have always been in the hunt over the years and have a 2006 championship to show for it. They won the NL Central Division 7 times since 2000 and were also in the 2004 World Series. The 2011 team, put their heads down and went to work. Picking away at a 10.5 deficit on Aug. 25 by winning 23 of their last 31 games. It wasn't sexy but it was effective. They took care of the games when they needed to. The Cardinals worried about themselves and took care of business. Wild Card or not, the Phillies will have their hands full when the Cardinals come to town. Remember, the Cardinals took 6 games out of the 9 played this year. After this run, would you really bet against the Cardinals?
I have to give props to the Baltimore Orioles. With nothing to play for, this team strapped up and went to work. The Os showed their fans a good show and didn't just lay down for the Red Sox. Integrity comes to mind when it comes to this Orioles team. As a fan of baseball, I appreciate a team 20+ games below .500 showing up to play. It wasn't just this game either. The Orioles and Red Sox played 7 times in September, with the Orioles winning five. Thank you Baltimore! You may not have had much to celebrate but you should your professionalism and the love of the game.
D!
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