MLB Playoff Chase In Full Swing

In case you haven't realized, this is the first "ultimate sports fan" weekend.  Not only the return of the NFL but MLB has entered its stretch run.  I still remember the games on the final day of the season that gave us games like Yankees v Rays.  The Rays took advantage of the Red Sox collapse and won the wild card.  Of course, the Cardinals beating Houston and watching the Braves loose to the Phillies.  The Cards would go on the win the World Series, in dramatic fashion.  Being down to their last strike in the 9th and 10th innings of game 6 against the Rangers and able to force and win game 7.   The end of last season foreshadowed what was a postseason filled with everything that is good and pure about baseball.

This year, teams are given an extra chance at the playoff with the addition of a wild card team in each league.  Regardless if you think it was a good idea or not, these final 25 or so games will be must see TV.  In the American League this weekend, the Yankees, with a 1 game lead in the AL East, visits the Orioles for 4 games.  The O's seem not be satisfied with the wild card spot, they want the division.  This O's team has been surprising all year and have stayed consistent.  That's why they are in a great position to take the division.  Oakland visits the Rays with playoff on both teams radar.  The Rays are 1.5 games back of Oakland in the wild card race and the A's are coming off being swept by the Angels.  The Angels host the Tigers in Anaheim and the Tigers are trying to catch the Angels in the wild card standings being 1 back of the Angels.  The Angels are trying to stay hot being 8-2 over their last 10 games.  

On the National League side, the only series of note is the Dodgers going the San Fransisco to play the Giants.  Without the playoff race, this series would still be must see TV because it's Dodgers vs Giants just as it has been since the teams New York days.  The Dodgers are trying to catch and retake 1st place in the division.  While the Giants are trying to maintain especially with the player losses they have suffered over the last few weeks.  The Dodgers are playing to win now coming off the blockbuster trade made with Boston.  Now if Matt Kemp can shake off the slump he's in, the Dodgers will not only make the playoffs but win the division.  The Giants are reeling right now and its the perfect time for the Dodgers to strike.  

These are the games for this coming weekend in MLB but this is just the start.  Over the next month, teams dreams of the World Series will become reality. For non baseball fans (Shame on you.  That's almost unAmerican), there is also college football to watch on Saturday.  Then Sunday, the first full day of football.  Forget Labor Day Weekend, for sports fans it's the weekend after Labor Day that's the best weekend in September, capped off by the first Monday Night Football game.  This weekend is followed closely by the first weekend the NBA returns.  

D!