National League Wild Card-What's Going To Happen

[Mitchell]

The National League Wild Card, which had seemingly been put away by Colorado, has suddenly gotten very interesting. The Braves, who were dead just two weeks ago, at 8 1-2 out, have closed to within 2 1-2, with seven games left for Atlanta, and six for Colorado. The Braves play their last seven games at home, with three against difficult Florida, and four vs the pathetic Nationals, while the Rockies have to play three with Milwaukee, before going to Dodger Stadium for the final three next weekend.

It would seem that Colorado has the tougher schedule, except for one thing: The Dodgers will have already clinched the NL West by the time that series starts, and its likely Dodger manager Joe Torre will be preparing for the Division Series, by resting his starters.

What do people think is going to happen in the Wild Card in the NL? I have a poll posted above.

 

[Mitchell]

I'm going to say that the Wild Card is going to go to a one game playoff next Monday, and that the Braves will win.

While the Braves still have two and a half games to make up, it would seem that the games they have left are very winnable games. The Braves already swept Washington three games at Washington this weekend, so it would seem they could sweep the Nationals four games at home next weekend. If The Braves can hopefully take two of three from Florida during this week, the Rockies will need to play very well to hang on to their lead. The question mark in the whole thing will be how hard the Dodgers play to win next weekend, as they are preparing for the playoffs.

The Braves have been playing very well lately, and I think they have a good shot.

Mitch

 

[The Fallen Angel]

i think your braves love is blinding you, the Rockies lock it up by Thursday

 

[Mitchell]

With as hot as the Braves are, Trez, I'm not so sure about that.

Mitch

 

[Coup de Grace]

I know what's NOT going to happen. The Giants won't be anywhere near the Wildcard game. 🙁 The Cubs almost swept us in our own yard! We had the best record in the League at home!

 

[The Fallen Angel]

With as hot as the Braves are, Trez, I'm not so sure about that.

Mitch

being hot at this time is always good but the braves need to win out essentially. Plus they need a good rockies team to drop at least 2, to win it 3. Those 2 things both happening are unlikely

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

i think your braves love is blinding you, the Rockies lock it up by Thursday

I agree. Homer is being a homer. D' oh

 

[milagros317]

The Dodgers will just be going through the motions and resting up until post season, and the Brewers are below .500 playing for pride only, so I think it's likely that Colorado will clinch before Sunday.

 

[Mitchell]

mils, one thing: Dont you think that the Dodgers would want to eliminate the Rockies over the weekend, to avoid having to play one of the division winners, Philly or the Cards? If the Braves are the wild card, the first round matchup would likely be L.A. vs Atlanta, which would seemingly be easier for the Dodgers than to have to play the Cards or Philly.

If I was Torre, I wouldnt want the Rockies to make the playoffs.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

I concede after last night's Braves loss, and Rockies win, that the Braves aren't going to make the playoffs. While I'm disappointed, I can also say that Atlanta had a very good turn around year. This was a team that finished 72-90 in 2008, and is likely going to get around 89-90 wins, because they play the weak Nationals for four games over the weekend, and should get some wins there.

I'll be sad to see baseball season end for the Braves on Sunday as always, but, I'm optimistic about their chances for winning at least a wild card in 2010.

Mitch

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

i think your braves love is blinding you, the Rockies lock it up by Thursday

If you weren't being blind, where is the AL Wild Card? They have just as much an intriging race as the NL Wild Card. And please don't say because you are an NL fan. Because I am an NL fan but I now what is going on in both leagues. If you are a baseball fan ( and I know you are ) then omitting the AL Wild Card is wrong. You are being a homer. I agree with Trez and Flock. Sorry Mitchell. Just calling it like I see it.

 

[Mitchell]

To tell you the truth, 4u, I really dont pay attention to the AL. I know the Yankees are going to be in there, and that there's a good battle for the Central between the Tigers and the Twins.

Excuse me for being fired up about my team coming close to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

I will resist making any negative comments about your Mets, 4u, because I know they have been through hell with injuries.

Mitch

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

To tell you the truth, 4u, I really dont pay attention to the AL. I know the Yankees are going to be in there, and that there's a good battle for the Central between the Tigers and the Twins.

Excuse me for being fired up about my team coming close to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

I will resist making any negative comments about your Mets, 4u, because I know they have been through hell with injuries.

Mitch

You can make comments against the Mets. I do all the time. So I have no issue with that. You need not resist or sugarcoat your Mets comments.

You are a knowledgable baseball fan. I concede that. I also understand being fired up about your team. I concede that too!!! I am just looking out for all fans involved.


The Twins get to within one game of the Tigers yesterday afternoon before losing the second game of the doubleheader. And you call it just a good battle. The Twins are closer to the Tigers than the Braves have been to the Rockies. Yet it is only a good battle. I just find the Twins are a more fasinating story because the loss of Justin Morneau and a $45,000,000 payroll.

They have such a great race going on and you being a great baseball fan I would think that you would cover BOTH NL Wild Card and AL Central races. I am not trying to hurt your feelings, but when the races are that good on both sides, it is sad you covered only one. That gives Flock and Trez the impression that you are a homer. Just my opinion. I am not right and I am not wrong. I am just saying.


P.S. You don't have to excuse yourself. I just know how much of a baseball fan you are and am surprised you didn't give the AL Central race any coverage.

 

[Mitchell]

Okay, fair enough. I concede the point. My mind is distracted with other things right now. Work, family, an upcoming meeting with my father, that I'm really not paying attention to much except work, socializing, and the Braves. A friend whose a Phillies fan, is having to update me on when the Phillies will clinch the NL East, because I'm not up on that either.

The World Series I would love to see, is the Dodgers, and Yankees, with L.A. winning. Wouldnt that be the ultimate, for Torre to stick it to Steinbrenner, by winning the World Series, after the insulting one year deal the Yankees offered him in 2007?

Mitch

 

[milagros317]

The World Series I would love to see, is the Dodgers, and Yankees, with L.A. winning. Wouldnt that be the ultimate, for Torre to stick it to Steinbrenner, by winning the World Series, after the insulting one year deal the Yankees offered him in 2007?

Mitch

I, for one, would find it most gratifying.

 

[Mitchell]

The wild card is over, and the Rockies have it. Congratulations to them. The Braves loss tonight was appalling. For anyone who didnt see it, they were five runs down, before rallying to within 5-4 in the ninth, before the tying run got picked off third base with two out, to end the game. All the work in tonight's game, plus the seven game win streak for nothing.

I'm ready for winter to come already. It will be a relief to say goodbye to the 2009 Atlanta Braves in a few days. This is a team that definitely underachieved this year, and has certainly played some of it's worst baseball, the last two nights, when it mattered most.

Mitch

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

The wild card is over, and the Rockies have it. Congratulations to them. The Braves loss tonight was appalling. For anyone who didnt see it, they were five runs down, before rallying to within 5-4 in the ninth, before the tying run got picked off third base with two out, to end the game. All the work in tonight's game, plus the seven game win streak for nothing.

I'm ready for winter to come already. It will be a relief to say goodbye to the 2009 Atlanta Braves in a few days. This is a team that definitely underachieved this year, and has certainly played some of it's worst baseball, the last two nights, when it mattered most.

Mitch

Underachieved? To be honest with you I thought they did MUCH better this year than expected. This team has lots of holes to fill and farm system is still reeling from the Rangers flogging them in Tex deal

 

[Mitchell]

Flock, with their upgrades in pitching, I thought the Braves should have won the wild card. The problem for the Braves this year was their hitting was inconsistent, and they dont have much power except for Mccann.

Yes, the Texiara deal was a bad deal, but Tommy Hanson was a very pleasant surprise. The Braves had very good pitching this year overall.

I'm optimistic about 2010. Hopefully, with a few tweaks here or there, the Braves can take the wild card next year.

Mitch

 

[The Fallen Angel]

as i said wrapped up by thursday and i was dead on

 

[Mitchell]

Yes, you were. The Braves had a good season anyway, and I'm optimistic about their chances for 2010.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

defenitly a good young team, they made some very good trades this year.. if they can get another bat and some bullpen help they will be a great team next year

 

[Mitchell]

One thing I find interesting. Colorado is stronger then some wild card teams of the past. In 2001, the Braves won the NL East with 88 wins, and I know that some wild card teams have made it with between 84 and 88 wins. The Braves already have 86 wins, so if they pick up another one, two, or three this weekend against Washington, they will finish with close to 90 wins, even though they were out of the playoffs.

From reading the Braves players comments, they were disappointed not to make it, but felt they had a good year. When a team goes from 72 wins to the high 80s in one year, thats a good turnaround.

Mitch

 

[The Fallen Angel]

tough way to get taken out of the playoffs, getting picked off of third in the 9th with the bases loaded