I’m probably the only sports fan in Chicago not obsessing over how Caleb and the Bears are going to pulverize the Vikings later today, but I thought now’s the time to step back and look at MLB.
I’ve heard several people say that the craziness of the playoff pursuits of both the White Sox and Cubs are ideal as every game, every pitch matters right now. We’ve been trained to believe that each game, no matter the time of season, matters equally, but we all know that with only seven games remaining, these games carry a certain importance. The missed cut-offs, botched bunts, failures to execute and surrendered homers that plague teams in April and May, can’t be excused in late September. There’s no time to iron out the wrinkles, it’s now or never.
Extending the angst beyond the city, fans in other cities vying for playoff spots are enjoying seeing their teams play meaningful games this week. Even the teams that have secured spots are trying to figure out playoff rosters, and rotations. Without exception, each team will have a couple surprises on their postseason roster. They always do.
The Cubs are in a battle with the Phillies and Padres for seeding and the chance to host a wildcard series. Arizona is attempting to crash that party but has the most difficult of tasks. While highly underappreciated and unsexy, the battle for the AL Central crown between the Sox and Guardians will likely go down to the wire. No, I’m not forgetting the Skubal less Tigers.
And because there has to be.
Federal law dictates that someone has to win the AL West and take up a valuable playoff spot, no matter how bad the team. There’s an 87.6% chance that the winner of the West won’t finish with winning record. Editor’s note: I made up the number, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong in my prediction.
Baseball being baseball and adherence to the axiom, “Just make the playoffs, anything can happen,” more than suggests that whoever wins the West will represent the AL in the World Series. I don’t expect that to happen as the Tampa Rays are the best team in the AL, and most everyone else is considerably better than the Rangers, Mariners and Astros. I’ll never count out two-time World Series MVP, Corey Seager.
The guy has the knack for coming up big in the biggest games, regardless of his regular season shortcomings. I’ve always admired him for his particular skill set and have liked the kid since meeting him years ago in the AFL. He most certainly wouldn’t remember me even if I showed him pictures of us enjoying Grand Slam breakfasts at a Phoenix Denny’s.
Even when the final pitch is thrown next Sunday afternoon, most people will have put the regular season in their rear-view mirror. And without focusing on some of the spectacular individual statistical years, I’d like to note some positives outside Chicago.
Most knowledgeable baseball fans won’t be surprised that Luis Arraez is going to win his fourth batting title (with a 4 different team), but who outside of the Lopez family predicted that Otto Lopez would be among the NL leaders all season long? When I think of Otto, I immediately default to Otto Velez (google him if you must). Lopez ranks behind von Bismark, Graham, the bus driver from The Simpsons, and the dog from Beetle Bailey.
Since we are no longer allowed to evaluate starting pitchers based on victories, it seems like strikeouts are okay. If so, who had Cleveland starter, Gavin Williams being the second pitcher to reach 200 this season?
An oddity or trend?
As it stands, the Cardinals have to win 6 of their last 7 games to finish .500. They might take third in the NL Central. Regardless, the season has been a disappointment, but there might be some bright spots. The team has scored 699 runs but have gotten 100+ runs batted in from two players, Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker.
Also, if you can identify half of the league batting leaders, I want to see your betting slips. It’s always fun to see new names and facing among the rising stars. It happens every year and I know I haven’t mentioned some of the more obvious stories. That’s for you to consider.
If you’re not consumed with the Drake Maye story, enjoy the last seven games of the regular season. I hope I’m talking about regular season games in February and not mid-June, 2027.
