Last call! Time to make your run if you’re gonna make one. A month of baseball left to play before you hit the big time or the golf course. Where’s your team standing?
The Dodgers managed to acquire John Garland (yay!) and Jim Thome (yay?) in time to make both of them playoff eligible. I’m not sure how much Thome is going to help them coming off the bench (he specifically stated he wouldn’t be able to play first), but could make for a great DH should the Dodgers make the World Series.
I’ll cheer the Garland deal when I see how he does tonight against his old (old? He was with them Monday!) team. As for Thome…well, who is on the list of “a player to be named later?” If all we are giving up is a AA 2nd baseman, fine. If they lose Loretta, DeWitt or somebody else decent and versitile, I’ll be miffed. All Thome is going to do is pinch-hit.
Rangers win a doubleheader yesterday. Looks like an interesting September as the Rangers try to beat out Boston or the Angels for a playoff spot.
D-backs do have quite a few games in the last part of the season against San Francisco, and Colorado. The team has nothing to play for, but could try to play a spoiler role. Almost everyone on the team is playing for their job next year as I expect some major shakeups this winter.
Tigers are playing strong and it looks like they’ve got the Central wrapped up. After that, we’ll see how the postseason shakes out. Let’s see if the Twins will put together a big winning streak.
It is only 3.5 game lead. But if the Tigers play .500 ball ,the Twits have to go 19-11 to tie. The Tigers have played at greater than 500 all year. It remains to be seen if Minn. can mount a charge.
The only reason to watch baseball in Kansas City now is to see if Zack Grienke will do enough to impress Cy Young voters despite a rotten win-loss record that he can mostly blame his weak-hitting teammates for.
Gotta give props to Mozeliak for his work this year. We go get Lugo and Boston pays his salary. DeRosa steps in and contributes right away. John Smoltz comes in and starts giving quality innings. And of course…Matt Holliday.
Is there any single player this year who has helped their new team after getting traded at the deadline more than Matt Holliday has helped the Cardinals? Good gravy.
And now Khalil Greene has exercised his demons, and Troy Glaus is coming back…I’m giddy.
The Giants called up a catcher and a bat, both of which were needed, and both of which (hopefully) will conveniently exist in the person of Buster Posey.
Yep, the Cards are tied for the best record in the NL, 10.5 ahead of the Cubs, and 9-1 in their last 10 games. Granted, their last 10 have included sets against the Nationals and Padres. But I’m pretty excited. Back in April, I think I predicted the Cards would flirt with the NL wildcard. I didn’t see this kind of season coming.
Starting Pitching? Check!
Bullpen? Check! (mostly - Motte could be more consistent)
Defense? Check! (they’ve even stopped pulling Schumaker off 2B in late-and-close situations)
Hitting? Check!
October baseball? Check!!
Tigers won today sweeping the Indians. If the Tigers go .500 the rest of the way, Minnesota needs to go 20-9. The odds are with the much better Tigers.
