This weekend in Baseball

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Series to watch as the end of the season draws near....

 

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh

 

Chicago stands a scant 1 game behind Houston in the NL Central. These two teams open up tonight with a double header, and play four total. Zambrano, Cruz, Clement, and Prior are scheduled to start for Chicago.

 

Boston @ Cleveland

 

The Red Sox are 2 1/2 games ahead of Seattle in the Wild Card race, but five behind the Yankees. Whatever the goal, the objective is to win. Boston pitches Burkett, Lowe, and Pedro Martinez this weekend. Sunday's game is a 1:00pm game, scheduled for broadcast on ESPN2.

 

Cincinnati @ Philadelphia

 

The Phillies are only a half game behind the Marlins in the wild card, but they have no margin for error. Luckily, they're at home against the Reds. The Phillies are terrific at home, and riding a wave of momentum thanks to Thursday's wild win over the Marlins. Randy Wolf, Amaury Telemaco, and Vicente Padilla start for the Phillies.

 

Montreal @ NY Mets

 

The Expos are on the fringe of playoff contention, but stranger things have happened. They'll need a sweep here to stay in the race.

 

NY Yankees @ Tampa Bay

 

Same old, same old for the Yankees. They hold a five game lead in the East, and should coast into the playoffs.

 

Kansas City @ Chicago White Sox

 

The White Sox are reeling after a disasterous series against Minnesota. The Sox are 3 1/2 games out, and the Royals are 4 1/2 games out. Both teams really need a sweep to get back in the hunt, so tonight's game is critical.

 

Florida @ Atlanta

 

Proving time for the Marlins. With only a 1/2 game lead in the Wild Card, they head to Atlanta for 4 games against the Braves. Worse for the Marlins, the Braves are 51-24 at home this year. 2 out of 4 will be a success for the Marlins, as they aim to maintain their lead heading into this upcoming week's showdown at home vs. the Phillies.

 

Arizona @ Milwaukee

 

Same as the Expos. The D'backs are at the back end of the Wild Card hunt, and desperately need a sweep in this series.

 

Detroit @ Minnesota

 

A great time to be a Twins fan. Minnesota swept the White Sox to build a 3 1/2 game lead in the central. They now face the lowly Tigers, at home no less. Seven of their last 9 games come against the Tigers, so the Twins might start printing tickets now.

 

Houston @ St. Louis

 

Yes, the Cardinals are five games out, but look at the circumstances here. A sweep against the Astros closes the gap to two games, as long as the Cubs don't take the lead. Anything but a sweep, however, and the Cards wind up four games back with six to go. The Astros need to win to hold off the Cubs for their 1 game Central lead.

 

Seattle @ Oakland

 

See above. The Mariners can close the West gap to 2 games with a sweep here. They also need to make up ground on the Red Sox, who are 2 1/2 games ahead in the Wild Card. The A's need to sew up the division, and a sweep on their part will clinch it.

 

San Francisco @ Los Angeles

 

The Dodgers are on the fringe, but still in the race. Still, they'll need to count on collapes by both the Phillies and the Marlins to make the playoffs.

 

Toronto @ Baltimore

 

Toronto is 10 back of the Wild Card, with 10 to go. They need the Sox to lose every game, and they need to win every game. If the Jays lose, they're mathematically eliminated.

 

NOT IMPORTANT

 

Anaheim @ Texas

San Diego @ Colorado

[Vern Gagne 0]

[Anaheim @ Texas

Texas could still pass Anaheim in the standings. How many World Champions have finished the following season last in the standings.

 

Jason Bay of the Pirates has 8 rbi's in the first game of a DH.

 

The Twins and Red Sox should make reservations to New York and Oakland. Seattle appears to be flat, and worn out. The White Sox are dogs. Anyone who said Frank Thomas was MVP can sit in a corner.