Richard Castle - contributing reporter
We are in the final stretch of the season, just a couple of games over 30 remain. Let's look at some of the key matchups and magic numbers.
- NATIONAL LEAGUE
- The playoff teams appear to mostly be set, but their position within the playoffs has some wiggle room; with the loss of one of their main starters; even New Orleans place at the top now seems in question. The North is the closest race and could be the difference between a first round bye and home field advantage in the NLDS versus playing as the top Wildcard team. The loser of the NL North and East divisions will be the wildcard teams. Vancouver sits just far enough out of Wildcard #2, being 9 games out their fate really lives in how well Buffalo finishes.
- NL North
- Hartford - They currently sit just a single game ahead of Chicago in the NL and the #2 seed in the NL.
- Buffalo: 2/8 PM2 - 2/9 PM. Anytime you face another playoff team, you have to watch the series closely.
- Oklahoma City: 2/14 PM - 2/15 AM. OKC might have their division unofficially secured, they could be resting players by this time or pushing for a first round bye. A win against Hartford could be huge in securing that.
- Chicago: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. Final series of the season, and this one could go every which way. It could determine the division title, first round bye, or even which wild card rating the loser gets. Depending on the second round bye positioning, both teams might be jockeying themselves for the playoffs and be less worried about the final series knowing they both make the playoffs.
- Chicago - In a close fight for the division title and possible first round bye. They have the easiest route to the playoffs of all teams listed here, having to only deal with one playoff bound team; although it is the team they are fighting for the division and will be the last series of the season. At a game back from the division title, some have them pegged as the favorite.
- Hartford: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. See above.
- NL East
- Pittsburgh - Another close division to watch, but it's looking like no matter who wins both will be playing in the first round. Pittsburgh held the lead most of the season, though their recent 4-6 over the past 10 has only been helped by Buffalo's recent 3-7 run.
- New Orleans: 2/12 AM - 2/12 PM2. The Yinzers will need to keep up the Ws if they are going to hold off Buffalo.
- Buffalo: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. Just like the Hartford v Chicago matchup, there could be A LOT riding on this series. The Pitt locks up the division prior to this series, expect them to rest many of their starters; many of whom are starting to get a little worn outside of Rip and McMillan.
- Buffalo - Buffalo appears to have the tougher schedule between the two for the division, we'll see if the experience can pull it off. It could all come down to the final series.
- Hartford: 2/8 PM2 - 2/9 PM. See above.
- New Orleans: 2/9 PM2 - 2/10 PM2. Back to back series against the top two teams in the NL, though Buffalo has no issues handling the NOOFs; going 6-0 when playing them so far this season.
- Pittsburgh: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. See above.
- NL South
- New Orleans - They have officially secured their 4th straight division title, but they have back to back to back series against playoff teams and now down Thompson who has been a main part of their 4 man rotation; things aren't looking great. Come roster expansion, I'd expect a bunch of call-ups even though their starters seem well rested; their owner doesn't want to risk another late season injury.
- Buffalo: 2/9 PM2 - 2/10 PM2. To date Buffalo has swept both series they've played in. At this point, the NOOFs might be resting players but still one to watch.
- OKC: 2/11 AM - 2/1 PM2 & 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. Neither team is expected to be at their full potential, but don't count out OKC during the playoffs.
- Pittsburg: 2/12 AM - 2/12 PM2. Will be the third straight series against a playoff team.
- NL West
- Oklahoma City - sitting on a comfortable lead for the division and quietly making a push for the #2 slot and first round bye; winning these series could help push them for that extra rest; though after a tough run they are now 7 games out from the #2 spot.
- New Orleans: 2/11 AM - 2/1 PM2 & 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. New Orleans may be resting players by this point, but winning the majority of the 7 games against the best record in the NL would still be huge.
- Hartford: 2/14 PM - 2/15 AM. Hartford in the mist of division battle themselves, so I expect a tough matchup; if OKC deems the W is a need.
- AMERICAN LEAGUE
- Less set than the National League, with 9, potentially 10 teams still in the hunt.
- AL North
- Philadelphia - Even after 130 games the division is all tied up, but playing playoff potential teams from 2/11 AM to 2/16 PM2; it will be an uphill battle to claim the division for the 5th time in 5 years. Loser likely watches the playoffs from home.
- New York: 2/11 AM - 2/11 PM2. This series is likely more important to Philly as they fight for the division.
- Houston: 2/12 AM - 2/12 PM2. The series before an off day, Philly will hope Houston is giving their players a little extra rest.
- Colorado Springs: 2/14 PM - 2/15 PM. CS in their own division battle will likely be treating these as a must win.
- Atlanta: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. Luckily Atlanta has already started resting their players to keep them at 100% for the playoffs, and they've proven beatable over the last 15 games..
- Minnesota: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. These games will be huge if the division is still tight.
- Minnesota - Still tied with Philly, their likely only chance at the playoffs is winning the division as they stand on the outside of the Wildcard looking up.
- Monterrey: 2/12 AM - 2/12 PM2. Monterrey is pushing for a wildcard slot and won't be taking any series lightly.
- Colorado Springs: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. See above, it's cluster in the AL and most teams will be making pushes for make it.
- Philadelphia: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. See above.
- AL East
- Atlanta - It's been a tough the last 15 or so games, but not many key series left as they've nearly secured a first round bye; but watch their matchup against Houston. With the way Houston is streaking, it could have some value to it and a potential look at the teams fighting for the AL Pennant. But we question if any stars from either team will see much time in the series. They've been resting players for awhile now to keep them both rested and injury free.
- Houston: 2/14 PM - 2/15 PM.
- New York - Holding tight to yet another playoff appearance, and while they face the top two teams of the AL, both might be resting their stars; making their schedule a little bit easier. But for now they've slipped into a tie for the Wildcard lead with Monterrey and will need every win possible.
- Philly: 2/11 AM - 2/11 PM2. If New York is going to hold on to the wild card slot, they will need to play well this series.
- Houston: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. Should be a tough 4 game series, unless Houston is resting their starters.
- Boston: 2/17 AM - 2/17 PM2. This could be a key matchup to determine the Wildcard. Potential that this series does more damage to both teams than it does help if things happen right in Philly or Minnesota.
- Atlanta: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. What a way to end the season, against the #1 team who has a first round bye. Could be a good thing if their all-stars are all resting.
- Boston - Don't sleep on Boston, they are just a game out from both Wildcard slots and playing in one of the, if not THE toughest divisions in the league. If they were in the AL West, they'd be in the lead but here they are; trailing Monterrey and New York for the wildcard slots.
- Atlanta: 2/13 PM - 2/14 AM. Even resting starters, Atlanta is a tough matchup.
- Monterrey: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. This could be their chance to secure a Wildcard slot, but they will likely need to at least break even, 2-2 in this series.
- New York: 2/17 AM - 2/17 PM2. Back to back series that could determine the Wildcard.
- AL South
- Houston - Seems to have pulled away in the division and appears to be the clear #2 favorite, receiving a second round bye. There's hope in Houston they secure home field throughout but trail Atlanta by 6 games.
- Philly: 2/12 AM - 2/12 PM2. Houston likely won't quite be ready to really start resting players, but things have changed for them in the last week as they start to separate themselves from Monterrey.
- Atlanta: 2/14 PM - 2/15 PM. Always a fun matchup to see these two go at it.
- New York: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. Should be a tough 4 game series, but will Houston have pulled away by then?
- Monterrey: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. Likely more important to Monterrey than Houston.
- Monterrey - If Monterrey can hold on, Houston having series against both New York and Atlanta could help them.
- Boston: 2/15 PM2 - 2/16 PM2. Boston is hungry for a Wildcard slot and will give this series everything they got.
- Houston: 2/18 AM - 2/18 PM2. Not likely fighting for the division but a series W will help in the Wildcard. They do have the easier schedule of the AL playoff teams.
- AL West
- Helena - The Hot Dogs are now tied with Colorado Springs for the division lead but still plenty of games remaining.
- New York: 2/8 PM2 - 2/9 PM. Going to be a tough matchup against this aging team.
- Houston: 2/9 PM2 - 2/10 PM2. Same as New York, just a much younger team.
- Colorado Springs: 2/17 PM - 2/17 PM2. Second to last series of the year, will be a tight one to watch and could have a HUGE effect on the division title.
- Colorado Springs - With a chance to miss the playoffs for a third straight year,
- Atlanta: 2/9 PM2 - 2/10 PM2 & 2/12 PM - 2/13 AM. Two series against Atlanta, it's going to be an uphill climb for the division.
- Philly: 2/14 PM - 2/15 PM. Another team that will be fighting for the playoffs, should be an interesting late series to keep an eye on.
- Helena: 2/17 PM - 2/17 PM2. See above.
And let's not forget about the chase for the better draft picks.
- There are 8 teams within 6 games from each other, with only 2 games separating the #3 pick from the #8 pick. I hate to say the T word, but there's going to be a lot of aggressive base running, AAAA players called up for "experience", and errors around the diamonds. Get ready for a wild ride!
- Columbus Corgis (47-83) - 8-31 since the All-star break. They are the odds on favorite to claim the #1 pick next season.
- Dover Hazmats (49-81) - Series against Anaheim, Mexico City and a final series against Milwaukee will have a HUGE effect on the draft order next season.
- Anaheim Diablos (51-79), Tacoma Aroma (51-79), & Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (51-79) - all have a legit claim to the toughest schedule of the teams on this list. Though Anaheim plays more playoff teams than the other two; they just don't play as many teams on this list as the other two either.
- Mexico City Staring Frogs (52-78) & Milwaukee Metronomes (52-78) - Milwaukee finishes 2 of their last 3 series against non-playoff teams where as Mexico City has teams who are in dog fights for their division or Wildcard. Should be interested to see how it shakes up.
- Augusta Alcoholics (53-77) - Their 2 series against Seoul will likely be the deciding factor for their draft order; but games against nearly every AL playoff team helps.