If the Playoffs Started today - 2011 All Star Break Version

It's the All Star Break and it is the first time during the regular season it isn't totally bonkers to take a look at playoff match ups.

Besides, the non waiver trade deadline is in a few weeks and not to get all Danny Ocean on you, but for some teams "You are either in or you're out... right now."

Teams like the Diamondbacks, Indians, Angels and yes even the Pirates could be playing in October with a properly placed move here or there.

As of this writing they are all within striking distance of a playoff spot but would be on the outside looking in.

I am guessing these match ups will change between now and the first week of October. But as of now, here is how the playoffs would be set up.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

BOSTON RED SOX (American League East Champions)
Would have home field advantage over
DETROIT TIGERS (American League Central Champions)

TEXAS RANGERS (American League West Champions)
Would have home field advantage over
NEW YORK YANKEES (American League Wild Card)

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

There would be a one game playoff for the National League Central
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
versus
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (National League East Champions)
Would have home field advantage over
MILWAUKEE BREWERS or ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (National League Central Champions)

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (National League West Champions)
Would have home field advantage over
ATLANTA BRAVES (National League Wild Card)

So that's a lot of solid match ups and some big stars and some of the best baseball crazed markets. That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing Cleveland and Pittsburgh in this thing.

Just saying.

An empty night

No games today...
There's NOTHING today.

No baseball, no hockey, no basketball, no football.
Christ, no World Cup.

The day after the All Star Break is always a strange empty day.

Granted, maybe this picture of the Oakland Coliseum isn't the best picture to illustrate the emptiness of today.

This picture was taken shortly before first pitch of a playoff game on Oakland.

An empty night

No games today...
There's NOTHING today.

No baseball, no hockey, no basketball, no football.
Christ, no World Cup.

The day after the All Star Break is always a strange empty day.

Granted, maybe this picture of the Oakland Coliseum isn't the best picture to illustrate the emptiness of today.

This picture was taken shortly before first pitch of a playoff game on Oakland.

While I was out...

I took the weekend off from blogging and missed out on some great baseball.


Not the least of which was the imploding of the Reds. Gee Whiz, I wonder if Cincy misses the playoffs by a few games if they will be looking at a 4 game series where they let up 3 extra inning walk off hits (including 2 walk off homers) blew a 6 run 9th inning lead, lost two 1-0 games including a game where a poor shmuck had a perfect game going into the 9th.



The fact that the Reds are still in first place at all is a bloody miracle.

And look out Braves and Mets... the Phillies are starting to figure it out.



I will do my midseason evaluation soon, but going into the All Star Break, I still don't buy 4 of the 6 division leaders.



I think the Phillies will bypass the Braves.

The Reds could be crumbling.

I still don't see how the Padres are in first and the Rockies will probably soon overtake them.

And oh yeah, the Rangers are discovering even a complete game from Cliff Lee doesn't guarantee a win.

There's lots to talk about... and once I get out work I will.

While I was out...

I took the weekend off from blogging and missed out on some great baseball.


Not the least of which was the imploding of the Reds. Gee Whiz, I wonder if Cincy misses the playoffs by a few games if they will be looking at a 4 game series where they let up 3 extra inning walk off hits (including 2 walk off homers) blew a 6 run 9th inning lead, lost two 1-0 games including a game where a poor shmuck had a perfect game going into the 9th.



The fact that the Reds are still in first place at all is a bloody miracle.

And look out Braves and Mets... the Phillies are starting to figure it out.



I will do my midseason evaluation soon, but going into the All Star Break, I still don't buy 4 of the 6 division leaders.



I think the Phillies will bypass the Braves.

The Reds could be crumbling.

I still don't see how the Padres are in first and the Rockies will probably soon overtake them.

And oh yeah, the Rangers are discovering even a complete game from Cliff Lee doesn't guarantee a win.

There's lots to talk about... and once I get out work I will.

There are no style points

You win or you lose...

And today the Red Sox won. Granted they nearly coughed up a 9-0 lead and when I saw the Royals creeping up the way the Orioles did the last day of June, I started drafting the teeth grinding post in my head.

But Youk homered, the Sox tacked on a few more, John Smoltz won a game and the Red Sox are assured of going into the All Star Break in first place by themselves.

The Magic Number is 74 for the Division and only 2 games back of the Dodgers in the loss column for the best record in baseball.

Keep winning ugly games all year for all I care.

(But can I PLEASE be able to relax when the Sox take a 9-0 lead?)