The Standings Report
... And analysis going into stretch run
Sept. 2, 2004...
The AL East
Boston 98-37 --
New York (A) 75-62 24.0 (!!)
Toronto 69-68 30.0
Tampa Bay 60-77 39.0
Baltimore 54-82 44.5
Analysis: The BoSox should have the division clinched in the next week or two... New York is still 10 games out of the Wildcard race... No Yankees in the post-season? Trivia question -- when was the last time that happened? Can Boston conquer the curse? Gulp...
The AL Central
Minnesota 64-72 --
Kansas City 63-72 0.5
Chicago (A) 62-73 1.5
Cleveland 53-85 12.0
Detroit 39-97 25.0
Analysis: What a pitiful division -- the best team is 8 games under .500. The Red Sox's worst fear -- losing to one of these teams in the post-season after posting one of the best records of all times...
At least it will be exciting to see which team actually wants to win it all... KC's Pyt. Difference is -11... My money is on them pulling it out...
The AL West
Oakland 88-48 --
Seattle 84-52 4.0
Anaheim 75-61 13.0
Texas 54-81 33.5
Analysis: The best division in the AL. Seattle has won the last three and Oakland is only 5-5 over the last 10. It's still up for grabs... Buck Showalter could be done in Texas... My $$ is on Oakland, though both the A's and Mariners should make the post-season...
The NL East
Philadelphia 79-57 --
New York (N) 74-63 5.5
Montreal 71-66 8.5
Florida 65-71 14.0
Atlanta 62-73 16.5
Analysis: The defending World Champs and the long-time NL East champs are both in trouble... Can the Phils win one for Larry Bowa? The Expos are hanging around in their likely last year in Montreal...
The NL Central
St. Louis 81-55 --
Houston 75-62 6.5
Chicago (N) 66-70 15.0
Pittsburgh 58-79 23.5
Cincinnati 56-79 24.5
Milwaukee 55-80 25.5
Analysis: The Cards look like a strong contender for the World Series. The dream is going to die for the Cubbies, barring a miracle... Bartman death threats begin again... Houston could be a wild card threat...
The NL West
Arizona 78-59 --
Los Angeles 77-59 .5
San Francisco 77-62 2.0
Colorado 67-69 10.5
San Diego 64-72 13.5
Analysis: The most balanced division in the league. The D-Backs ride the pitching of Brandon Webb (12-8) and Randy Johnson (13-7) and the bats of Luis Gonzalez (.331), Robbie Alomar (.301) and Danny Bautista (.304) to the top. But don't forget those Dodgers, who went 23-5 in August. Of course Bonds and the Giants are still in the running... Bonds has 45 homers but Jim Thome leads the league with 48...
Todd Helton watch: His batting average has dropped to .380... Doesn't look good for .400...
Anything else folks want to see???
More popcorn anyone??
