2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball enters home stretch
Brent Beale
Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: Sports
The baseball season is entering its final week, and the playoff races are heating up. The New York Mets finally clinched the National League East division crown last week, the Phillies control their own playoff destiny for the first time in thirteen years, and the American league races are some of the most hotly contested in recent memory. Here is a look at each division as the boys of summer enter the home stretch and look towards playing deep into October.
The N.L. East: Mets clinched, enough said. This has been a forgone conclusion since May so it was no surprise when they finally sealed the deal. Now New York has an opportunity to rest some of their starters. The Mets have two issues for the playoffs. Will they have the ability to turn the juice back on once the playoffs begin? Question two, what about the health of Pedro Martinez? Will his strained right calf be healthy enough come playoff time? In one start since coming off the DL in Pittsburgh, Martinez was largely ineffective against a poor hitting club.
The Phillies have played themselves into the wild card lead as of Sunday and since the trade-deadline have been one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. By taking two of three from the Cubs, the Phillies have catapulted themselves back into contention. With an off day prior to the pivotal three series against the Marlins, Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel has the opportunity to set his pitching rotation the way he wants for the rest of the season. The Phillies do not need to sweep any of the series' left, however they must win each one to keep the pressure on the teams out west.
The N.L. Central: The Cardinals all but have the division wrapped up. Their playoff run is going to be predicated on the health of Mark Mulder. With Mulder's shoulder still ailing their quality pitchers dip down to Chris Carpenter and closer Jason Isringhausen. Their playoffs will more then likely end in the first round when they run up against a superior staff of which everyone in contention has over the Red Birds.
The N.L. East: Mets clinched, enough said. This has been a forgone conclusion since May so it was no surprise when they finally sealed the deal. Now New York has an opportunity to rest some of their starters. The Mets have two issues for the playoffs. Will they have the ability to turn the juice back on once the playoffs begin? Question two, what about the health of Pedro Martinez? Will his strained right calf be healthy enough come playoff time? In one start since coming off the DL in Pittsburgh, Martinez was largely ineffective against a poor hitting club.
The Phillies have played themselves into the wild card lead as of Sunday and since the trade-deadline have been one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. By taking two of three from the Cubs, the Phillies have catapulted themselves back into contention. With an off day prior to the pivotal three series against the Marlins, Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel has the opportunity to set his pitching rotation the way he wants for the rest of the season. The Phillies do not need to sweep any of the series' left, however they must win each one to keep the pressure on the teams out west.
The N.L. Central: The Cardinals all but have the division wrapped up. Their playoff run is going to be predicated on the health of Mark Mulder. With Mulder's shoulder still ailing their quality pitchers dip down to Chris Carpenter and closer Jason Isringhausen. Their playoffs will more then likely end in the first round when they run up against a superior staff of which everyone in contention has over the Red Birds.
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