There are three teams that are still searching for two playoff spots in the National League.
W W% GB
San Francisco 88-68 .564 -
Atlanta 88-69 .561 0.5
San Diego 87-69 .558 1
On first instinct it would be a simple call that San Fran. and Atlanta would make it to the playoffs, considering I wasn't big on SD all year. Even when they were winning games with amazing pitching every night I thought they would miss the playoffs because of their lack of hitting. Now their starters like, Latos and Richard, have tailed off quite a bit and San Fran. is playing the best ball they have all year.
The Giants are 12-5 vs. NL West opponents in September including 3-1 vs. SD and Colorado. The Braves and Padres are both 11-14 in the month.
Atlanta has the motivation behind them with this being Bobby Cox's last season before retirement. Atlanta has been a team based on players playing over their heads this season. Omar Infante and Martin Prado have had all-star type seasons up until September where they have combined to bat .268 and score only 22 runs.
With all that being said, I still feel Atlanta and San. Fran. will be the teams to make it out of the regular season and into the playoffs. San Diego needs their pitching to excel and I just don't see that turning itself back around at this point but they will have the chance. SD and SF play their season ending series from October 1st-3rd in SF. SF will roll out Zito, Cain, Sanchez (on fire) vs. Richard, Staugher (on fire), Latos. Everything is leading the way of the Giants to make it and in turn knock-out the Padres. Atlanta finishes the season with 2 games vs. Fla (they are lead 3-2 in the Top of the 8th in the first of those two games) and then 3 against a Philly team that has already locked up a playoff birth and division title at home where they are 53-23.
All stats thanks to ESPN.com
It will come down to the last series with SD and SF I think. How about some Phoenix Suns news on this blog?!?
ReplyDeleteNeilRuby1 said...
ReplyDeleteA fan of the blog asked, "Is there any chance that both SD and SF make the post season since they face off against each other?"
Current Magic numbers- Atlanta 5 in the Wildcard, SF 6 in the NL West.
Since the three teams are separated by 1 game or less there is absolutely a chance that SD and SF could make it. Both SD and SF have one extra game to play over Atlanta, Chicago @ SD and Arizona @ SF. They need to make the most of these couple of games before they face each other in order for them both to have a chance to make the playoffs. They would need a little bit of help from Atlanta too. Basically nobody has earned anything yet and you've gotta win every game you can. There are definitely a few scenarios where Atlanta loses more then they win, and both Cali teams slip into the NL Pennant Chase. One of the Cali. teams is guaranteed to lose at-least two of their 6 remaining games...Atlanta's not guaranteed anything and hold their future in their hands. Though it would be spectacular to see the Cali. teams be tied up at 89 wins on Oct. 1st with three to play against each other...let the playoffs BEGIN!
Martin Prado is out for the season.
ReplyDelete