As the 2010 season comes closer to an end, the playoffs scenarios start to become wilder and wilder. The Philadelphia Phillies just took the the NL East division last night and the Cincinnati Reds are most definately going to take the Central, their magic number is at 1.
That means it's a three team race with the Giants, Padres, and Braves to fill the last two playoff spots. The Giants (88-68) were idle and are 1 game up in the West division right now with the Padres (87-69) )losing last night to the Cubs 1-0. The Braves (88-69) are a half game behind the Giants and a half game ahead of the Padres after beating the Florida Marlins 2-1.
These last six days are going to get really exciting. There are a lot of different scenarios that could happen, let me fill you in. The braves have 2 games left with the Marlins, so lets assume they will split those games to take the series. That leaves them at 89-70 heading into their day off on the 30th. They play Philadelphia at home for the last series. The Phillies will have nothing to play for really and will just be trying to get through those games injury free. If the Braves take the series, their final record will stand at 91-71.
The Giants have a 3 game series at home vs last place Arizona (64-92) starting today, where I'm assuming they will go 2-1. That puts their record at 90-69 headed into the soon to be epic final series at home vs the Padres. Speaking of the Pads, they already lost the first of a 4 game series vs the Cubs at home. Lets assume they take the series and go 2-1, they will still be 1 game behind the Giants at 89-70 going into the final weekend.
The fate of whats going to happen all lies in that last weekend in San Fran. If the Giants take 2 of 3, case will be closed. Giants win the West by 2 games and Braves win Wild Card. In that case, the Phillies would host either the Giants or the Reds, whoever has the worse record of the two. They can't play the Braves because they are in the same division.
It gets very interesting if the Padres win the series. If they sweep the Giants, they are in, but if they win 2 of 3, all three teams (Giants, Padres, and Braves) would be tied. In that case, they will first decide the West division. The Giants and Padres would have a 1 game playoff in San Diego because the Padres would have won the head-to-head matchups. Then there would be another 1 game playoff between the winner of that game and the Braves.
Thats kind of un-fair to the team in the West I think because it's like they are playing a tough, winner go home, all or nothing brawl while the Braves are sitting back just watching and resting. Then they have to do it all over again. The Braves would have a huge advantage because the team they face would be emotionally spent.
And for those wondering, if their is a 4-team tie with the Giants, Padres, Braves, and Reds, the same thing would apply. Nothing would be different, because the Reds win the Central division. They would be in no matter what. It wouldn't be so complicated if there was no Wild Card, but thats why it was put in. I love the Wild Card, and all I can say is, thank you Bud Selig! I never thought I would say that by the way. Anyway, enjoy the last six days, I know I will!
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