The wild card race for Major League Baseball is always one that comes down to the wire. Last year, the National League witnessed the tightest battle, with the Rockies and the Padres fighting it out in a one-game winner take all to get to the post season. The amazing story is that the Rockies not only won, but won their way through the divisional series, and the championship series to gain a berth to the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, if we all remember, the story ended there, with four quick games and a sweep by the Red Sox for their second title in the last four years.
Nearly half way through the 2008 season, the National League again remains another close race, but just between two teams, St. Louis and Milwaukee. The real race that we will see come September will fall in the American League with 4 teams, if they keep the pace they're at. The unbelievable Rays, the untimely A's, the no wonder Yankees, and the up and coming Twins. A betting man would say the Yankees will blow the other three out of the water and win the wild card for the second straight year, but fans here in Oakland say the A's will give it the best shot they've got. The Rays will have to continue to play well and it's a very young team, which results in the classic "choke" come crunch time. The Twins will have the toughest time, mainly because no one is really hitting for them, and the pitching staff is is left with all the pressure.
I believe the ticket to the post season will be punched for the team who makes the best trades come July 31. The Yankees, being the team with the most leverage, but smart GM's can come up big. My question to the readers out there, is who will win the Wild Card?? Here are my picks as of June 26, 2008.
National League: It'll be close, but I'm going to go on a limb and say the Brewers will beat the Cards out in a one game playoff.
American League: As much as it pains me to say it, the Yankees will go on a tear in the second half and clinch the A.L. spot.
2 comments:
How bout the Fresno State Bulldogs? The biggest Cinderella story of all time. I watched almost all the games I could. Those guys were playing out of their socks! I say the home town A's take the wild card and make it to the ALCS.
I agree, what about the Bulldogs?
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