7: A Week From Today, There Will Be Two Less "Old" Stadiums...

Yeah, it was a tear-jerker earlier this evening watching the last game in a storied ballpark. I still don't know why it needs to be replaced, but hey, I'm not the fire inspector. I'm looking forward to the Cubs at the Mets on Thursday, when I have tickets to see one of the last games at Shea.

I've already put together the log5 predictions for the playoffs based on current standings, and it's going to be an interesting post-season. Let's put it this way: the top two teams in each league do NOT have an easy path to the World Series. More on that later in the week.

For now, it looks like the Phillies can beat the annually free-falling Mets, but they'll both make the playoffs. Either way, one or the other will be playing the Dodgers, and it won't be as easy a victory as it seems. Same with the Cubs and the eventual Wild Card.

The Angels will not have an easy time with Boston, nor will the Rays have an easy time with the White Sox.

Did I just say the Cubs and the White Sox will be in the playoffs in the same year? Can you say Subway Series? Enjoy the last week!

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
z-Tampa Bay	.597	.570	97	65	5
Boston	.587	.607	95	67	-3
NY Yankees	.545	.533	88	74	2
Toronto	.532	.572	86	76	-6
Baltimore	.435	.460	71	91	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.555	.560	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.538	.552	87	75	-2
Cleveland	.503	.530	82	80	-4
Kansas City	.449	.425	73	89	4
Detroit	.461	.488	75	87	-4
WEST
x-LA Angels	.619	.554	100	62	11
Texas	.481	.453	78	84	5
Oakland	.477	.479	77	85	0
Seattle	.368	.397	60	102	-5
NL
EAST
Philadelphia	.564	.578	91	71	-2
NY Mets	.555	.563	90	72	-1
Florida	.523	.500	85	78	4
Atlanta	.442	.479	72	90	-6
Washington	.372	.378	60	102	-1
CENTRAL
x-Chicago Cubs	.610	.624	99	63	-2
Milwaukee	.545	.537	88	74	1
Houston	.529	.476	85	77	9
St. Louis	.516	.522	84	78	-1
Pittsburgh	.417	.407	67	95	2
Cincinnati	.465	.443	75	87	3
WEST
LA Dodgers	.519	.530	84	78	-2
Arizona	.503	.515	82	80	-2
Colorado	.455	.443	74	88	2
San Francisco	.449	.422	73	89	4
San Diego	.391	.422	64	98	-5

8: Can the White Sox Hold On? Will The Phillies Do To The Brewers This Year What They Did To The Mets Last Year?

With the Twins not able to shake the Rays, they are ceding the AL Central to the White Sox. The Dodgers look to be holding off the Diamondbacks. And with the Brewers' pitiful slide the last two weeks, Both the Mets and the Phillies will be making the Playoffs.

This last actually might not be good for the Cubs, because they have to play a much better team the NL Worst's Dodgers to advance to the next round, either the Mets or Phillies. On the other hand, none of the teams would have fared very well with the Cubs' home advantage.

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.599	.569	97	65	5
Boston	.584	.606	95	67	-3
NY Yankees	.542	.530	88	74	2
Toronto	.535	.574	87	75	-6
Baltimore	.438	.462	71	91	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.556	.561	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.539	.554	87	75	-2
Cleveland	.497	.525	81	81	-5
Kansas City	.448	.424	72	90	4
Detroit	.467	.493	76	86	-4
WEST
x-LA Angels	.614	.549	99	63	11
Texas	.487	.457	79	83	5
Oakland	.474	.478	77	85	-1
Seattle	.370	.398	60	102	-5
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.562	.565	91	71	-1
Philadelphia	.558	.576	91	71	-3
Florida	.529	.503	86	76	4
Atlanta	.435	.477	71	91	-7
Washington	.377	.383	61	101	-1
CENTRAL
x-Chicago Cubs	.608	.622	99	63	-2
Milwaukee	.542	.532	88	74	2
Houston	.529	.474	85	77	9
St. Louis	.519	.525	84	78	-1
Pittsburgh	.416	.407	67	95	1
Cincinnati	.468	.448	76	86	3
WEST
LA Dodgers	.519	.529	84	78	-2
Arizona	.497	.507	81	81	-2
Colorado	.461	.450	75	87	2
San Francisco	.448	.423	72	90	4
San Diego	.383	.415	62	100	-5

9: Too Close To Call, or Too Soon To Call?

Well, it's pretty obvious that 3 races are too soon to call, but we know what will happen (Rays, Red Sox, White Sox will secure playoff spots, in addition to the official winner of the AL West). The Dodgers still have a possibility of blowing it, so it's too close to call, and even though the division title is too close to call, both the Mets and the Phillies will make the playoffs, with the Brewers' freefall.

My original prediction, back in June, was a Cubs vs. White Sox World Series. As of now, it could still happen. In effect, to effectively clinch the division, the Sox will have to win 3 more games with the Twins predicted to win 87 (they already have 85)

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.599	.569	97	65	5
Boston	.588	.608	95	67	-3
NY Yankees	.539	.530	87	75	1
Toronto	.532	.573	87	75	-7
Baltimore	.441	.463	72	90	-4
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.556	.561	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.539	.554	87	75	-2
Cleveland	.497	.525	81	81	-5
Detroit	.467	.493	76	86	-4
Kansas City	.448	.424	72	90	4
WEST
x-LA Angels	.614	.549	99	63	11
Texas	.487	.457	79	83	5
Oakland	.471	.477	76	86	-1
Seattle	.373	.398	61	101	-4
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.562	.565	91	71	-1
Philadelphia	.558	.576	91	71	-3
Florida	.529	.503	86	76	4
Atlanta	.435	.477	71	91	-7
Washington	.377	.383	61	101	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.605	.622	98	64	-3
Milwaukee	.545	.533	88	74	2
Houston	.529	.474	85	77	9
St. Louis	.523	.526	85	77	0
Cincinnati	.464	.447	75	87	3
Pittsburgh	.416	.407	67	95	1
WEST
LA Dodgers	.519	.529	84	78	-2
Arizona	.497	.507	81	81	-2
Colorado	.461	.450	75	87	2
San Francisco	.448	.423	72	90	4
San Diego	.383	.415	62	100	-5

10: Picture is getting clearer...

OK, what do you want me to say? Will Boston beat Tampa Bay? Well it's very likely considering the Rays are way overperforming. But they've been doing so all year, so what else is new--maybe this is their level.

It really doesn't matter, though, because the Red Sox will still be in the playoffs. The Sox of a paler persuasion should be able to hold off the Gemini, but it is still a tossup, really. Ozzie's crew isn't overperforming like the past, but the Twins are underperforming considerably, so some changes can still occur.

For my buds in NYC, I hope the Mets make it, but it does appear to be going down to the wire. And Torre's trolley Dodgers (where there are none) will most likely make the playoffs.

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.596	.562	96	66	6
Boston	.586	.608	95	67	-4
Toronto	.536	.574	87	75	-6
NY Yankees	.536	.529	87	75	1
Baltimore	.444	.463	72	90	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.553	.558	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.542	.561	88	74	-3
Cleveland	.493	.525	80	82	-5
Detroit	.470	.494	76	86	-4
Kansas City	.451	.427	73	89	4
WEST
x-LA Angels	.612	.548	98	64	10
Texas	.490	.457	79	83	5
Oakland	.467	.475	76	86	-1
Seattle	.375	.399	61	101	-4
NL
EAST
Philadelphia	.562	.582	91	71	-3
NY Mets	.559	.563	91	71	-1
Florida	.526	.499	85	77	4
Atlanta	.438	.479	71	91	-7
Washington	.379	.385	61	101	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.609	.628	99	63	-3
Milwaukee	.549	.539	89	73	2
Houston	.526	.471	85	77	9
St. Louis	.520	.522	84	78	0
Cincinnati	.461	.440	74	88	3
Pittsburgh	.418	.409	68	94	1
WEST
LA Dodgers	.523	.534	85	77	-2
Arizona	.500	.508	81	81	-1
Colorado	.458	.449	74	88	1
San Francisco	.444	.418	72	90	4
San Diego	.379	.410	62	100	-5

11: Cubs, Red Sox, Rays as good as clinched, White Sox and Dodgers should do so also; Mets, Phillies, and Brewers Still a Tossup

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.597	.560	96	66	6
Boston	.589	.614	96	66	-4
Toronto	.530	.573	86	76	-7
NY Yankees	.530	.522	86	76	1
Baltimore	.450	.464	73	89	-2
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.560	.566	91	71	-1
Minnesota	.543	.562	88	74	-3
Cleveland	.490	.524	80	82	-5
Detroit	.467	.485	76	86	-3
Kansas City	.444	.415	72	90	5
WEST
x-LA Angels	.613	.548	99	63	11
Texas	.493	.464	80	82	5
Oakland	.467	.476	76	86	-1
Seattle	.380	.408	62	100	-5
NL
EAST
Philadelphia	.556	.578	90	72	-4
NY Mets	.553	.559	90	72	-1
Florida	.520	.485	84	78	6
Atlanta	.444	.483	72	90	-6
Washington	.384	.388	62	100	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.611	.632	99	63	-3
Milwaukee	.550	.538	89	73	2
Houston	.533	.485	86	76	8
St. Louis	.520	.523	84	78	-1
Cincinnati	.460	.438	74	88	4
Pittsburgh	.417	.404	67	95	2
WEST
LA Dodgers	.523	.540	85	77	-3
Arizona	.493	.507	80	82	-2
Colorado	.454	.448	73	89	1
San Francisco	.450	.418	73	89	5
San Diego	.382	.411	62	100	-5

12: Cubs Have Basically Clinched, Other Races Still Too Close To Call

Although also the Rays and Red Sox have clinched playoff spots, though not the divisional standings. Why do I say those things? Basically, the Cubs have won 90 games, and the prediction for Milwaukee is 89, so it's basically over in the division. I would say that Milwaukee can hold off the Phillies, but that's what the Mets said last year...

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.595	.560	96	66	6
Boston	.593	.615	96	66	-3
Toronto	.533	.575	87	75	-7
NY Yankees	.533	.525	86	76	1
Baltimore	.446	.463	72	90	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.557	.564	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.547	.565	89	73	-3
Cleveland	.487	.522	79	83	-6
Detroit	.470	.486	76	86	-3
Kansas City	.440	.413	71	91	4
WEST
x-LA Angels	.617	.554	99	63	10
Texas	.490	.463	79	83	4
Oakland	.463	.470	75	87	-1
Seattle	.383	.410	62	100	-4
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.557	.560	90	72	-1
Philadelphia	.553	.578	90	72	-4
Florida	.517	.482	83	79	6
Atlanta	.447	.484	73	89	-6
Washington	.380	.388	62	100	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.608	.632	99	63	-4
Milwaukee	.553	.539	89	73	2
Houston	.537	.487	86	76	8
St. Louis	.523	.527	85	77	-1
Cincinnati	.456	.434	74	88	4
Pittsburgh	.420	.406	68	94	2
WEST
LA Dodgers	.520	.537	84	78	-3
Arizona	.490	.505	80	82	-2
San Francisco	.453	.420	73	89	5
Colorado	.450	.443	73	89	1
San Diego	.384	.415	63	99	-5

13: New Stat Retraction and Back to the Standings

I apologize for bringing out my new stat before prime-time--I need to work on it some more.

Back to the Predictive Standings, then. Anything interesting left in this season? First, what isn't interesting: Rays, Red Sox, and Angels are in the playoffs--it's just a matter of who plays who in the playoffs; Cubs are still the best in the NL and judging by tonight's no-no by the Zambino, looks like they'll be tough in the playoffs.

What is interesting:

• White Sox or Twins? Both of these teams are literally going to fight this to the end, and possibly a one-game playoff.
• Mets should hold off the Phillies. The only question is whether the Phillies go on a winning streak to match their record with their performance, much like last year at this time.
• Also, Brewers vs. Phillies. The Brewers look like they're fading fast, but if they play to their overperforming level, they should still be able to win the Wild Card. If OPI says anything, it is that the Phillies are underperforming by 4 games and the Brewers are overperforming by 2 games, so this might get more interesting rather than less.
• And in the NL West, even though the stats show LA to win, this is probably far from over with how bad the D'Backs and Dodgers have played all year. Can Torre continue the playoff run he started in New York? It certainly doesn't look like the Yankees will continue that run this year...

AL
EAST	WP	P WP	P W	P L	OPI
Tampa Bay	.603	.571	97	65	5
Boston	.588	.610	96	66	-4
Toronto	.537	.576	87	75	-6
NY Yankees	.527	.521	85	77	1
Baltimore	.442	.460	72	90	-3
CENTRAL
Chicago Sox	.555	.562	90	72	-1
Minnesota	.554	.569	90	72	-3
Cleveland	.486	.528	79	83	-7
Detroit	.479	.491	78	84	-2
Kansas City	.432	.402	70	92	5
WEST
x-LA Angels	.615	.553	99	63	10
Texas	.490	.463	79	83	4
Oakland	.459	.467	75	87	-1
Seattle	.388	.412	63	99	-4
NL
EAST
NY Mets	.565	.567	92	70	0
Philadelphia	.547	.573	89	73	-4
Florida	.514	.481	83	79	5
Atlanta	.443	.481	72	90	-6
Washington	.378	.383	61	101	-1
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs	.603	.626	98	64	-4
Milwaukee	.561	.546	91	71	2
Houston	.544	.495	87	75	8
St. Louis	.527	.531	85	77	-1
Cincinnati	.453	.433	73	89	3
Pittsburgh	.419	.405	68	94	2
WEST
LA Dodgers	.520	.533	84	78	-2
Arizona	.490	.505	80	82	-2
San Francisco	.453	.418	73	89	6
Colorado	.450	.446	73	89	1
San Diego	.383	.410	62	100	-4