26: Rays Roll On, Sox and Mets Hold On, Dodgers Fading

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.622	.583	100	62	6
Boston	.581	.603	95	67	-4
NY Yankees	.529	.525	86	76	1
Toronto	.515	.562	85	77	-8
Baltimore	.463	.486	76	86	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.566	.574	92	70	-1
Minnesota	.562	.562	91	71	0
Detroit	.485	.498	79	83	-2
Kansas City	.419	.399	67	95	3
Cleveland	.481	.523	79	83	-7
WEST
LA Angels	.610	.549	97	65	10
Texas	.486	.459	78	84	4
Oakland	.460	.465	75	87	-1
Seattle	.390	.410	64	98	-3
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.555	.560	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.547	.574	89	73	-4
Atlanta	.431	.476	71	91	-7
Florida	.504	.474	81	81	5
Washington	.380	.378	61	101	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.620	.643	101	61	-4
Milwaukee	.588	.572	95	67	3
St. Louis	.540	.538	87	75	0
Houston	.518	.473	83	79	7
Pittsburgh	.419	.401	67	95	3
Cincinnati	.445	.424	72	90	3
WEST
Arizona	.507	.524	83	79	-3
LA Dodgers	.489	.503	80	82	-2
Colorado	.464	.458	75	87	1
San Francisco	.434	.403	69	93	5
San Diego	.390	.407	64	98	-3

Two Tankees On Base and a Third at 2B at Fenway

This is beautiful Fenway Park and the first time I got to see a game there. This adds to my collection of ballgames at old historic ballparks: Yankee Stadium, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Brigg's Field (Tigers Stadium), County Stadium, Wrigley Field and the original Comiskey Park (the latter two from where I was born and raised). I have to say that both Fenway and Wrigley are the best ballparks in existence today.

This picture shows Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia on base, just before Ellsbury scored on a Youkilis hit. Alexei Ramirez is at second. They are on my fantasy baseball team, the currently 2nd place, Tankees. Stats are great to discuss and dissect, but actually seeing the National Pastime in a ballpark that beautiful between two contending teams, both among my favorites, is a moment to treasure.

27

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.619	.579	99	63	7
Boston	.585	.605	95	67	-3
NY Yankees	.533	.529	86	76	1
Toronto	.511	.559	84	78	-8
Baltimore	.467	.490	76	86	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.563	.573	91	71	-2
Minnesota	.559	.557	90	72	0
Cleveland	.485	.524	80	82	-6
Kansas City	.422	.400	68	94	4
Detroit	.481	.496	78	84	-2
WEST
LA Angels	.615	.550	98	64	10
Texas	.482	.459	77	85	4
Oakland	.463	.472	75	87	-1
Seattle	.385	.408	63	99	-4
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.551	.558	89	73	-1
Philadelphia	.544	.573	89	73	-5
Atlanta	.434	.479	71	91	-7
Florida	.507	.477	81	81	5
Washington	.375	.373	61	101	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.625	.645	102	60	-3
Milwaukee	.585	.567	94	68	3
St. Louis	.544	.540	88	74	1
Houston	.515	.471	82	80	7
Pittsburgh	.422	.405	68	94	3
Cincinnati	.441	.419	71	91	4
WEST
Arizona	.511	.530	83	79	-3
LA Dodgers	.485	.496	79	83	-2
Colorado	.467	.458	75	87	1
San Francisco	.437	.407	70	92	5
San Diego	.385	.406	63	99	-3

28 Days Left: Team Futures Coalescing--Rays, Red Sox, Angels for sure in the AL; Cubs, Brewers, Dbacks in the NL

BOSTON - Two races are shaping up as serious and will go down to the wire: AL Central and NL East. In both cases, the loser goes home with no real chance for the Wild Card.

The White Sox, who my wife and I just saw get pummeled by the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 8-0 last night (to The Wife's chagrin), should end the season with a one-game lead over the Twins. The Twins are slightly over-performing, while the White Sox are basically winning at their capability, so that bodes well for the Pale Hose.

Similarly in the NL East, the Mets have opened up a big enough lead that should get them into the playoffs by two games over Philadelphia, but, similar to last year, the Phillies are significantly under-performing (OPI of -5), whereas the Mets are basically winning at their capability. That does mean that the Phillies can reel off another one of those streaks (sorry, Mets' fans)...

There are going to be some good races in the last month of the season

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.617	.579	99	63	6
Boston	.582	.602	95	67	-3
NY Yankees	.537	.530	87	75	1
Toronto	.507	.559	84	78	-8
Baltimore	.470	.491	77	85	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.567	.578	92	70	-2
Minnesota	.563	.558	91	71	1
Cleveland	.489	.525	80	82	-6
Kansas City	.418	.391	67	95	4
Detroit	.485	.504	79	83	-3
WEST
LA Angels	.612	.550	97	65	10
Texas	.485	.459	78	84	4
Oakland	.459	.471	75	87	-2
Seattle	.381	.406	62	100	-4
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.556	.559	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.541	.571	88	74	-5
Atlanta	.437	.479	72	90	-7
Florida	.504	.477	81	81	4
Washington	.370	.371	60	102	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.630	.648	102	60	-3
Milwaukee	.582	.561	94	68	3
St. Louis	.548	.543	89	73	1
Houston	.511	.468	82	80	7
Pittsburgh	.425	.410	68	94	2
Cincinnati	.437	.417	70	92	3
WEST
Arizona	.515	.533	84	78	-3
LA Dodgers	.481	.493	78	84	-2
Colorado	.471	.462	76	86	1
San Francisco	.440	.407	70	92	5
San Diego	.381	.401	62	100	-3

29: Tomorrow, Special Red Sox/White Sox Post from Fenway Park in Boston

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.614	.571	98	64	7
Boston	.579	.596	94	68	-3
NY Yankees	.534	.529	86	76	1
Toronto	.511	.560	84	78	-8
Baltimore	.474	.499	77	85	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.571	.585	93	69	-2
Minnesota	.560	.551	90	72	1
Cleveland	.492	.526	81	81	-5
Kansas City	.421	.392	67	95	5
Detroit	.481	.501	79	83	-3
WEST
LA Angels	.609	.548	97	65	10
Texas	.489	.460	78	84	5
Oakland	.463	.480	75	87	-3
Seattle	.376	.405	62	100	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.552	.558	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.545	.572	89	73	-4
Atlanta	.440	.482	73	89	-7
Florida	.507	.477	81	81	5
Washington	.366	.366	59	103	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.627	.648	102	60	-3
Milwaukee	.579	.560	93	69	3
St. Louis	.552	.544	89	73	1
Houston	.507	.467	81	81	7
Pittsburgh	.429	.411	69	93	3
Cincinnati	.433	.413	70	92	3
WEST
Arizona	.511	.529	83	79	-3
LA Dodgers	.485	.498	79	83	-2
Colorado	.467	.458	75	87	1
San Francisco	.444	.409	71	91	6
San Diego	.383	.404	63	99	-3

30: Both Sox Preview the Playoffs This Weekend, BoSox Also Making a Run at the Rays

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.611	.570	98	64	7
Boston	.583	.597	95	67	-2
NY Yankees	.530	.528	86	76	0
Toronto	.515	.561	85	77	-7
Baltimore	.474	.499	77	85	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.571	.585	93	69	-2
Minnesota	.564	.552	91	71	2
Cleveland	.492	.526	81	81	-5
Kansas City	.421	.392	67	95	5
Detroit	.481	.501	79	83	-3
WEST
LA Angels	.606	.547	96	66	10
Texas	.493	.461	79	83	5
Oakland	.459	.479	75	87	-3
Seattle	.376	.405	62	100	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.552	.558	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.549	.575	90	72	-4
Atlanta	.436	.480	72	90	-7
Florida	.511	.479	82	80	5
Washington	.361	.357	58	104	1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.624	.647	102	60	-4
Milwaukee	.579	.560	93	69	3
St. Louis	.552	.544	89	73	1
Houston	.504	.466	81	81	6
Pittsburgh	.429	.411	69	93	3
Cincinnati	.436	.413	70	92	4
WEST
Arizona	.511	.529	83	79	-3
LA Dodgers	.489	.506	80	82	-3
Colorado	.467	.458	75	87	1
San Francisco	.444	.409	71	91	6
San Diego	.383	.404	63	99	-3

31: AL Wildcard Will Be a Fight to the Finish, As Will the NL East

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.608	.569	97	65	6
Boston	.580	.592	94	68	-2
NY Yankees	.534	.535	87	75	0
Toronto	.519	.562	85	77	-7
Baltimore	.470	.493	77	85	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.576	.592	94	68	-3
Minnesota	.561	.551	91	71	2
Cleveland	.489	.525	80	82	-6
Detroit	.485	.503	79	83	-3
Kansas City	.424	.393	68	94	5
WEST
LA Angels	.611	.548	97	65	10
Texas	.489	.460	78	84	5
Oakland	.455	.478	74	88	-4
Seattle	.379	.405	62	100	-4
NL
EAST
Philadelphia	.553	.578	90	72	-4
NY Mets	.549	.556	89	73	-1
Florida	.508	.476	81	81	5
Atlanta	.439	.483	72	90	-7
Washington	.356	.356	58	104	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.621	.646	101	61	-4
Milwaukee	.583	.562	94	68	3
St. Louis	.549	.543	89	73	1
Houston	.500	.463	80	82	6
Pittsburgh	.432	.413	69	93	3
Cincinnati	.439	.415	70	92	4
WEST
Arizona	.515	.530	84	78	-2
LA Dodgers	.492	.507	80	82	-2
Colorado	.470	.460	76	86	2
San Francisco	.439	.406	70	92	5
San Diego	.379	.402	62	100	-4

32: Diamondbacks Starting to Pull Away in the West; Cubs Win 100+?

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.612	.573	98	64	6
Boston	.577	.590	94	68	-2
NY Yankees	.538	.539	87	75	0
Toronto	.515	.559	85	77	-7
Baltimore	.473	.496	77	85	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.573	.589	93	69	-3
Minnesota	.565	.552	91	71	2
Detroit	.489	.508	80	82	-3
Cleveland	.485	.520	80	82	-6
Kansas City	.427	.393	68	94	6
WEST
LA Angels	.608	.545	96	66	10
Texas	.485	.460	78	84	4
Oakland	.458	.482	75	87	-4
Seattle	.374	.404	62	100	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.553	.558	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.550	.578	90	72	-5
Florida	.511	.477	82	80	6
Atlanta	.435	.482	72	90	-8
Washington	.351	.354	57	105	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.618	.645	101	61	-4
Milwaukee	.580	.552	93	69	4
St. Louis	.553	.553	90	72	0
Houston	.504	.464	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.435	.414	70	92	3
Pittsburgh	.435	.415	70	92	3
WEST
Arizona	.519	.536	85	77	-3
LA Dodgers	.496	.508	81	81	-2
Colorado	.466	.456	75	87	2
San Francisco	.443	.410	71	91	5
San Diego	.374	.395	61	101	-3

33: Who Will Be Playoff-Bound: Red Sox, Brewers Yes; Goodbye Yankees and Cardinals?

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.612	.573	98	64	6
Boston	.577	.590	94	68	-2
NY Yankees	.538	.539	87	75	0
Toronto	.515	.559	85	77	-7
Baltimore	.473	.496	77	85	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.574	.590	93	69	-3
Minnesota	.569	.554	92	70	2
Detroit	.492	.508	80	82	-3
Cleveland	.481	.520	79	83	-6
Kansas City	.431	.396	69	93	6
WEST
LA Angels	.612	.546	97	65	11
Texas	.481	.456	77	85	4
Oakland	.454	.481	74	88	-4
Seattle	.369	.402	61	101	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.550	.552	89	73	0
Philadelphia	.546	.574	89	73	-4
Florida	.511	.477	82	80	6
Atlanta	.435	.482	72	90	-8
Washington	.351	.354	57	105	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.615	.640	100	62	-4
Milwaukee	.580	.552	93	69	4
St. Louis	.553	.553	90	72	0
Houston	.508	.470	81	81	6
Cincinnati	.435	.414	70	92	3
Pittsburgh	.438	.421	70	92	3
WEST
Arizona	.523	.538	85	77	-2
LA Dodgers	.500	.513	81	81	-2
Colorado	.462	.454	75	87	1
San Francisco	.446	.411	71	91	6
San Diego	.369	.393	61	101	-4

34

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.617	.575	99	63	7
Boston	.574	.590	93	69	-3
NY Yankees	.535	.538	87	75	-1
Toronto	.519	.560	85	77	-7
Baltimore	.477	.497	78	84	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.570	.590	93	69	-3
Minnesota	.574	.556	92	70	3
Detroit	.496	.512	81	81	-3
Cleveland	.477	.519	79	83	-7
Kansas City	.426	.392	68	94	6
WEST
LA Angels	.609	.545	97	65	10
Texas	.485	.457	78	84	5
Oakland	.457	.484	75	87	-4
Seattle	.364	.397	60	102	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.554	.554	90	72	0
Philadelphia	.543	.572	89	73	-5
Florida	.508	.474	81	81	5
Atlanta	.438	.484	72	90	-7
Washington	.354	.358	57	105	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.612	.637	100	62	-4
Milwaukee	.577	.552	93	69	4
St. Louis	.550	.551	89	73	0
Houston	.504	.468	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.438	.414	70	92	4
Pittsburgh	.442	.421	71	91	3
WEST
Arizona	.527	.541	86	76	-2
LA Dodgers	.504	.516	82	80	-2
Colorado	.458	.453	74	88	1
San Francisco	.442	.407	70	92	6
San Diego	.372	.395	61	101	-4

35

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.614	.574	98	64	7
Boston	.578	.599	94	68	-3
NY Yankees	.531	.537	86	76	-1
Toronto	.516	.551	85	77	-6
Baltimore	.480	.498	78	84	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.575	.592	94	68	-3
Minnesota	.578	.558	93	69	3
Detroit	.492	.509	80	82	-3
Cleveland	.472	.518	78	84	-7
Kansas City	.430	.395	68	94	6
WEST
LA Angels	.606	.543	96	66	10
Texas	.488	.457	78	84	5
Oakland	.453	.480	74	88	-4
Seattle	.367	.400	61	101	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.558	.559	90	72	0
Philadelphia	.539	.566	88	74	-4
Florida	.512	.479	82	80	5
Atlanta	.434	.481	72	90	-8
Washington	.357	.362	58	104	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.609	.632	100	62	-4
Milwaukee	.574	.550	92	70	4
St. Louis	.554	.554	90	72	0
Houston	.500	.464	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.442	.414	71	91	4
Pittsburgh	.445	.423	71	91	4
WEST
Arizona	.523	.536	85	77	-2
LA Dodgers	.508	.523	83	79	-2
Colorado	.454	.452	73	89	0
San Francisco	.438	.406	70	92	5
San Diego	.375	.395	61	101	-3

36

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.611	.570	98	64	7
Boston	.575	.597	94	68	-4
NY Yankees	.528	.533	86	76	-1
Toronto	.520	.555	85	77	-6
Baltimore	.484	.502	79	83	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.579	.597	94	68	-3
Minnesota	.575	.551	92	70	4
Detroit	.488	.508	80	82	-3
Cleveland	.468	.517	78	84	-8
Kansas City	.433	.395	69	93	6
WEST
LA Angels	.611	.552	97	65	10
Texas	.492	.458	79	83	6
Oakland	.457	.482	75	87	-4
Seattle	.362	.398	60	102	-6
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.555	.556	90	72	0
Philadelphia	.535	.561	88	74	-4
Florida	.508	.478	81	81	5
Atlanta	.438	.493	73	89	-9
Washington	.352	.353	57	105	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.614	.641	100	62	-4
Milwaukee	.570	.545	92	70	4
St. Louis	.550	.543	89	73	1
Houston	.504	.466	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.438	.411	70	92	4
Pittsburgh	.449	.427	72	90	4
WEST
Arizona	.528	.537	86	76	-1
LA Dodgers	.512	.530	84	78	-3
Colorado	.457	.454	74	88	1
San Francisco	.433	.401	69	93	5
San Diego	.378	.399	62	100	-3

37

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.611	.570	98	64	7
Boston	.575	.597	94	68	-4
NY Yankees	.532	.543	87	75	-2
Toronto	.516	.545	85	77	-5
Baltimore	.484	.502	79	83	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.579	.597	94	68	-3
Minnesota	.571	.551	92	70	3
Detroit	.488	.508	80	82	-3
Cleveland	.464	.511	77	85	-8
Kansas City	.437	.400	69	93	6
WEST
LA Angels	.616	.553	97	65	10
Texas	.492	.458	79	83	6
Oakland	.452	.480	74	88	-5
Seattle	.365	.399	60	102	-6
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.551	.556	89	73	-1
Philadelphia	.540	.562	88	74	-4
Florida	.512	.478	82	80	5
Atlanta	.441	.494	73	89	-9
Washington	.346	.351	56	106	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.611	.640	100	62	-5
Milwaukee	.570	.545	92	70	4
St. Louis	.550	.543	89	73	1
Houston	.504	.466	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.441	.411	70	92	5
Pittsburgh	.449	.427	72	90	4
WEST
Arizona	.524	.534	85	77	-2
LA Dodgers	.508	.528	83	79	-3
Colorado	.461	.455	74	88	1
San Francisco	.429	.399	68	94	5
San Diego	.381	.401	62	100	-3

38

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.616	.572	98	64	7
Boston	.579	.602	95	67	-4
NY Yankees	.528	.540	86	76	-2
Toronto	.520	.550	85	77	-5
Baltimore	.480	.498	78	84	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.576	.589	94	68	-2
Minnesota	.568	.549	91	71	3
Detroit	.492	.514	81	81	-4
Kansas City	.440	.401	70	92	6
Cleveland	.460	.509	76	86	-8
WEST
LA Angels	.613	.552	97	65	10
Texas	.488	.452	78	84	6
Oakland	.456	.482	75	87	-4
Seattle	.368	.408	61	101	-6
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.548	.554	89	73	-1
Philadelphia	.536	.559	88	74	-4
Atlanta	.444	.496	74	88	-8
Florida	.516	.479	82	80	6
Washington	.349	.354	57	105	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.616	.642	101	61	-4
Milwaukee	.567	.543	91	71	4
St. Louis	.547	.536	88	74	2
Houston	.508	.469	81	81	6
Cincinnati	.437	.410	70	92	4
Pittsburgh	.452	.433	73	89	3
WEST
Arizona	.520	.533	85	77	-2
LA Dodgers	.512	.529	84	78	-3
Colorado	.457	.454	74	88	0
San Francisco	.424	.397	68	94	4
San Diego	.384	.402	63	99	-3

39: Mets/Phillies and Dodgers/D'Backs Down to the Wire

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.613	.570	98	64	7
Boston	.576	.599	94	68	-4
NY Yankees	.532	.541	87	75	-1
Toronto	.516	.549	85	77	-5
Baltimore	.484	.502	79	83	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.573	.585	93	69	-2
Minnesota	.565	.541	91	71	4
Detroit	.488	.508	80	82	-3
Kansas City	.444	.404	70	92	6
Cleveland	.455	.504	76	86	-8
WEST
LA Angels	.618	.554	98	64	10
Texas	.492	.457	78	84	6
Oakland	.460	.493	76	86	-5
Seattle	.371	.412	62	100	-7
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.544	.551	88	74	-1
Philadelphia	.532	.559	87	75	-4
Atlanta	.448	.500	75	88	-8
Florida	.512	.474	82	80	6
Washington	.352	.354	57	105	0
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.613	.638	100	62	-4
Milwaukee	.571	.546	92	70	4
St. Louis	.551	.538	89	73	2
Houston	.504	.466	80	82	6
Cincinnati	.440	.414	70	92	4
Pittsburgh	.448	.430	72	90	3
WEST
LA Dodgers	.516	.534	84	78	-3
Arizona	.516	.532	84	78	-3
Colorado	.452	.450	73	89	0
San Francisco	.427	.402	68	94	4
San Diego	.387	.401	63	99	-2