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Baseball Pennant Races Nearing the EndTwo Weeks to Go and AL and NL and Playoff Berths are Up in the AirWith less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, baseball's post-season lineup is starting to take shape.
With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, baseball's pennant races are heading towards the finish line. Here's a quick synopsis of what to look for from the teams that still have a chance to play in October AL EastThe only mystery coming out of the American League East is where the Red Sox and Rays will finish. Barring the worst collapse in the history of the sport, both teams will qualify. Its just a matter of who will win the division and who will qualify as the Wild Card winner. If both clubs do make it, they cannot play each other in the Divisional round, so the Division winner will likely play the winner of the American League Central Division, either the White Sox or the Twins AL CentralThe Chicago White Sox are in the midst of a ten game road trip which has them playing three more in New York against the Yankees, three at Kansas City and they finish off the trip with three in Minnesota. The Chisox will end the season with three home games vs. Cleveland. The Twins have two more games at Cleveland and then four huge games in Tampa Bay. They return home to finish the season with a six game homestand against the White Sox and the Royals. The head-to-head three game series will go a long way towards deciding who wins the Central but many times, a pennant race is decided by the games against teams that are already out of the race. AL WestThe Angels have already clinched and will likely wrap up homefield advantage throughout the American League playoffs. NL EastThis division is where most of the remaining drama will take place. The Mets have seen their lead over Philadelphia shrink to a half game, one in the loss column. New York is on the road with three more in Washington and then a weekend series in Atlanta before returning home for four with the Cubs and three with the Florida Marlins. The Phillies close out their road schedule with three in Atlanta and three at Florida before returning home for a six game homestand against Atlanta and Washington. If you focus on the strength of both teams, its their starting pitching, with the Mets having a slight edge in that department. The Mets' bullpen has been the sticking point as they have no real closer and are trying to "mix and match" their way through the season. Philly's bullpen is not much better but they have a legitimate closer in Brad Lidge. One more advantage for Philadelphia. The Mets collapse in 2007 is starting to rear its ugly head once again but this time around they've got an "ace" in the hole in Johan Santana. It will be paramount for the Mets to win each of Santana's remaining starts because the Phillies have an "ace" as well in Brett Myers. Unlike last year, the Mets have a safety net in that the Wild Card spot is within reach. NL CentralThe Cubs will win the Central division but the Brewers and Astros are battling for the Wild Card along with the NL East clubs. Milwaukee made a desperation move in firing Mgr. Ned Yost but two straight collapses prompted that decision. Houston has made a commendable run but it appears as if they've run out of gas. NL WestThe Dodgers have grabbed the division "by the throat" and will not let go. Arizona is too inconsistent to overcome Joe Torre's "magic".
The copyright of the article Baseball Pennant Races Nearing the End in Baseball is owned by Howie Karpin. Permission to republish Baseball Pennant Races Nearing the End in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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