And Down the Stretch They Come...

Hey Leatherheads, it seems like the only thing you can count on these days are triple-digit moves in the stock market. With the exception of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, most teams in playoff races have been very inconsistent.

Manny being Manny has helped the Dodgers take control of the NL West

In the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquisition of Manny Ramirez has dramatically changed the division. Before the season, it appeared the Arizona Diamondbacks would win the division in a tight race. But with how weak the NL West was, all it took was one move to change the team attitude. So much so, that not many people realize the Dodger record at the time of the trade (54-53) is not much worse then where the team is at now (81-75). But that modest improvement has been enough to stake themselves to a two-and-a-half game lead over the D-Backs. The strong backend of the bullpen along with the team's above average bats should keep them on top to finish out the year.

In the AL Central, the Chicago Cubs have maintained the second best record in baseball and yesterday were able to clinch the division for the second consecutive season. This is the first time for the Cubbies since 1907 that they have finished consecutive seasons in first place. Manager Lou Pinella owes the team success to what he likes to call "Cubby occurances."

This year those "Cubby Occurances" have included Geovanny Soto's amazing year, contributions from castoffs Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson, and Kerry Wood being able to successfully trade places with Ryan Dempster. A far cry from the "Cubby Occurances" of yesteryear, like the "Bartman Incident" or maybe Ronny Cedeno getting thrown out stealing second on a walk. There was also that game in 2006 when Andrew Jones tagged up to score, from 2nd base. There was also that time in 2004 when the Chicago Cubs almost weren't able to sign Greg Maddux, that is because GM Jim Hendry tripped on a dustpan while carrying his son's birthday present down the stairs, requiring immediate reconstructive knee surgery.

My personal favorite was how the Chicago Cubs made it a point to monitor Glenallen Hill's severe arachnaphobia. This was because back in 1990 Hill ended up on the 15-day DL as a result of a violent nightmare about spiders. He popped out of his bed, bumped into a glass table, and plunged down a staircase all happening while he was asleep.

But I digress, I do actually like the Cubs chances this year. The Milwaukee Brewers looked, for a little while, like they might give the Cubs a run for their money. After the Brewers acquired CC Sabathia at the trading deadline they were on fire. But they have severely fallen off and have fallen one-and-a-half games back of the New York Mets for the NL wildcard.

In the NL East the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies are in a two team battle for first place. As it stands the Phillies are one-and-a-half games ahead of the Mets after their win and the Mets loss today. Like Casey Stengel used to say, the Mets continue to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory and it seems this may ultimately cost them the division. But I do believe they'll take the NL wildcard.

In the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have long run away with the division. With the best record in baseball and the Texas Rangers twenty-one-and-a-half games back, the Angels wrapped this up a long time ago.

In the AL Central the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins fight it out atop the division. As it stands the Sox are two and a half games up with six left to play. The Twins have stayed
competitive throughout the year and have outplayed everyone's expectations. They have a great core of young players, but they will eventually lose the Central to the White Sox.

Then you have the AL East where the Tampa Bay Rays have shockingly locked up the division. The Boston Red Sox are one game from locking up the wildcard. It was always in the back of every baseball fan's mind watching all the great players come up with the Tampa Bay Rays that you just knew their time was coming. For the first time since 1993, the Yankees will be missing the playoffs but it's about time another franchise got it's chance to shine.

That's it for now Leatherheads. Stay tuned for the playoffs!