The Wildcard Race

[Frobby]

21 minutes ago, Going Underground said:

Twins look like the Yankees may sweep them. 82-84 wins might be too high.

Well if the Twins lose today (they're losing 9-3 in the 5th), the most that any team could win to get the 2nd WC will be 88 games, which already is fewer than it took for the Orioles to get there last year.   Before the game, BP had the Twins projected at 83.2 mean outcome.   Fangraphs had them at 83.5.    If the lose today, they'd have to go 7-3 to get to 85 wins.   

It's a shame we've played so poorly.   The 2nd WC was there for the taking.   

[SteveA]

18 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Well if the Twins lose today (they're losing 9-3 in the 5th), the most that any team could win to get the 2nd WC will be 88 games, which already is fewer than it took for the Orioles to get there last year.   Before the game, BP had the Twins projected at 83.2 mean outcome.   Fangraphs had them at 83.5.    If the lose today, they'd have to go 7-3 to get to 85 wins.   

It's a shame we've played so poorly.   The 2nd WC was there for the taking.   

Yep, just going 5-5 on that last road trip and pulling out one of these two extra inning games vs Boston and we'd be right in the thick of it.    Even 4-6 on the road trip if you assume that Cleveland was unbeatable, and we'd be in it.

[Frobby]

Minnesota put themselves in a commanding position for the 2nd WC over the weekend, and back in a position where they might win more than 85 games.   They're 82-74 with 8 games to go, with a 4.5 game lead, and their magic number to clinch the spot is 3.

[OFFNY]

o

 

(SEPTEMBER 26th/27th)

 

The Yankees clinched (at least) homefield advantage for the Wildcard playoff game by virtue of yesterday afternoon's win over the D-Rays ........ they can still win the division title, as they are 3 games behind the Red Sox with 4 games left to play. If the Yankees and the Red Sox wind up tied at season's end, a one-game regular season playoff will be contested at Yankee Stadium (by virtue of their 11 games to 8 season series win over the Red Sox) on Monday for the AL East title, with the loser then hosting the one-game Wildcard playoff game the very next day.

 

For their part, the Twins have clinched at least a 163rd regular-season game ........ worst-case scenario, if they go 0-5 and the Angels go 5-0 the rest of the way, there will be a one-game regular season playoff between the two teams on Monday in Minneapolis for the final AL Wildcard berth. If the Twins win a single game (or if the Angels lose a single game) the rest of the way, then the Twins will be on the road (at either Yankee Stadium, or Fenway Park) for the AL Wildcard playoff game on Tuesday.

 

o

[Going Underground]

Twins are in for the second wild card. Last year had the worst record in baseball.Lost 103 games and said the first team to lose over 100 and have a winning record since 2009. Only five teams in the American League have a winning record. Two others have a  chance to win 82 games but have to win out. Not too many impressive teams in the AL this year. A's only one game behind the Orioles in the loss column.

[eddie83]

2 hours ago, Going Underground said:

Twins are in for the second wild card. Last year had the worst record in baseball.Lost 103 games and said the first team to lose over 100 and have a winning record since 2009. Only five teams in the American League have a winning record. Two others have a  chance to win 82 games but have to win out. Not too many impressive teams in the AL this year. A's only one game behind the Orioles in the loss column.

I think this is a perfect example of why teams are hesitant to blow their teams up. You don't have to be that good to be competitive for a playoff spot anymore. 

[Frobby]

I'm happy for the Twins.    I'll be even happier if they win the Wild Card game.   

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I'm happy for the Twins.    I'll be even happier if they win the Wild Card game.   

They don't exactly have a good history when it comes to playing the Yankees in the playoffs.

[Frobby]

5 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

They don't exactly have a good history when it comes to playing the Yankees in the playoffs.

No, but it's not really the same team.    In any event, it's just one game, so anything can happen.    

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Frobby said:

No, but it's not really the same team.    In any event, it's just one game, so anything can happen.    

Sure.

[Going Underground]

Twins first team in MLB history to lose over 100 games and the next year make the playoffs. 

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Going Underground said:

Twins first team in MLB history to lose over 100 games and the next year make the playoffs. 

The 1989 Orioles had the fifth best record in the American league.

[OFFNY]

o

 

 

The 2017 American League Wildcard race ends tonight, with this:

 

 

(2017 A.L. WILDCARD PLAYOFF GAME)

 

MINNESOTA TWINS

Brian Dozier - 2B

Joe Mauer - 1B

Jorge Polanco - SS

Eddie Rosario - LF

Eduardo Escobar - 3B

Max Kepler - RF

Byron Buxton - CF

Jason Castro - C

Robbie Grossman - DH

Ervin Ramon Santana - P )) (16-8, 3.28 ERA) ) *

 

* ) Led the Major Leagues in Complete Games (5), and Complete-Game Shutouts (3)

 

NEW YORK YANKEES

Brett Gardner - LF

Aaron Judge - RF

Gary Sanchez - C

Mariekson Gregorius - SS

Starlin Castro - 2B

Greg Bird - 1B

Aaron Hicks - CF

Jacoby Ellsbury - DH

Todd Frazier - 3B

Luis Severino - P )) (14-6, 2.98 ERA)

 

http://www.baseballpress.com/lineups

 

o