A September Russian Roulette

Analyzing a Lip Smacking MLB Regular Season Finish

As if last season’s September run in wasn’t enough , the 2012 Major League Baseball season is headed towards another roller coaster home stretch with no team still assured of their place in the playoffs and a whole host still interested , especially with 2^nd wild card spot up for grabs this season. So in essence this is how the playoff spots are decided.

The top teams each from the Eastern, Central and Western divisions of the American and the National leagues gain automatic entry with the next two teams with the best overall records facing off in a one game shootout for the fourth playoff spot. Not only does the Russian roulette of the one game playoff , make it imperative for the teams to top their respective divisions but it gives a number of teams added incentive in September to clinch that 2^nd playoff spot.

American League:

July in long gone, when the New York Yankees (East) and the Texas Rangers (West) were being comfortably tipped to top their respective divisions. The Yankees have managed to lose a 10 game lead and are now willing every weary sinew to try and stay atop the Baltimore Orioles (one of the 2 surprise teams of the season) and the “always dangerous in September” Tampa Bay Rays. The Yanks have had their share of injuries with the core pitching staff of CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Andy Petitte all spending more than enough time on the disabled list. Add to that an inconsistent offence, which has at times been carried on his shoulders by their 38 year old captain, the incomparable Derek Jeter. It’s a miracle that they are still one game atop the AL East and will need the other big bats like Alex Rodriquez and Robinson Cano to step up to win the pennant. Both the Orioles and the Rays have been punching above their weight on the back of some outstanding starting and relief pitching; however over the home stretch you have to believe the Yankee offence would have that little bit extra to scrape through.

Derek Jeter : Captain Fantastic

The AL Central is a neck and neck 2 horse race. The Chicago White Sox have led for the most of the season but the Detroit Tigers are only one game behind. Detroit probably have the best pitcher in the majors in Justin Verlander and the best hitter in Miguel Cabrera and you wonder if it is this quality which might just see them make the grade. It is also imperative for the Central division teams to win their division as both Chicago and Detroit are unlikely to gain the wild card spots if they finish second.

After the start the 2011 World Series Runners Up, the Texas Rangers had , it is startling that the Rangers are only 2 games ahead of the inspired Oakland Athletics – for the uninitiated in India – the same Oakland portrayed in “Moneyball” with the same GM Billy Beane. However, the A’s success this time around hasn’t been due to Moneyball tactics but some outstanding rookie pitching and clean power hitting. If the Playoffs were to begin today , the A’s and Orioles would battle it out for the wild card spot to join the Yanks, Sox and Rangers – however a lot may change since then.

Miggy : Key to the Tigers Challenge

Over in the National League , things are much clearer with the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds and 2010 World Series Champs, San Francisco Giants having established comfortable leads in their respective divisions. The Atlanta Braves appear to have the first wild card spot all sewn up, and though no one in the Braves camp will have forgotten last season’s September meltdown, surely lightening will not strike twice in successive years for them to squander yet another comfortable lead.

The real battle in the NL is shaping up for the 2^nd wild card spots with likely to be captured by either defending champions the St Louis Cardinals or the star studded LA Dodgers. With veteran ace Chris Carpenter making a long awaited return for the Cards next week and the Dodgers Ace, Clayton Kershaw set for a possible DL stint with a hip injury – pitching might just well be the area which clinches it for the champs ; after all they are no stranger to late September heroics:  Will David Freese please step up !