Three teams are one win closer to the next round.
Three teams are one loss closer to tee time.
Are the Giants shopping for Prince Fielder?
Playoff roundup
Starting in the National League:
Dodgers-Cardinals
From Los Angeles: The Dodgers, who nearly collapsed down the stretch, might have returned to form.
From St. Louis: This was the longest game in Division Series history. And it felt like it.
Magic Number: There were 30 runners left on base in this game. The Phillies, Rockies, Twins and Yankees combined to leave 24 runners on base.
Star so far: Andre Ethier eas 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Phillies-Rockies
From Philadelphia: Cliff Lee is taking Allen Iverson's old nickname.
From Colorado: Look how far Ubaldo Jimenez has come.
Magic Number: The Phillies scored five times without homering. This comes from the team that relied on the long ball more than anyone else in the Senior Circuit.
Star so far: Cliff Lee. What, you thinking Michael Mimbs?
Now, let's take a trip to the Junior Circuit:
Yankees-Twins
From New York: A-Rod jumped out of his playoff slump.
From Minnesota: The Rookie got rocked.
Magic Number: The Yankees have won nine straight against the Twins.
Star so far:
Who else? Derek Jeter sparked the Yankees come from behind victory.
Angels-Red Sox
From Anaheim: The Angels are stacking their lineup.
From Boston: The Red Sox have struggled against the American League's top arms.
Looking to next year:
- Dan Connolly assesses Matt Wieters' rookie campaign.
- The Pirates front office did not raise ticket prices for next season.
- Two nationals are undergoing surgery.
- The Giants have a long wish list. Does it include Prince Fielder.
- Drew Sharp says firing Jim Leyland would be a mistake.
The Closer
Would the Yankees have beaten the Twins had Minnesota been given an extra day off?
Probably.
But that's not the point.
The point is Major League Baseball looks like it is catering to the moneymaker. In other words, it looks like the fix is in. That's not good for baseball.
We've heard many arguments for why the game wasn't moved: The schedule was already set. TV wouldn't let them move it.
None of those hold water.
The schedule wasn't already set when you consider Major League Baseball moved the date of the playoff game to accommodate the NFL. And you don't think TBS would have rather had the Yankees and Twins game on during prime time? You're crazy if that's what you think.
But again, Major League Baseball messed up.
And that's just not news anymore.
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