If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 11

By John in Red Sox ⋅ June 21, 2010 at 3:05pm ⋅ Post a comment

Yankees vs Braves: Week 11's prediction for the World Series

Another week gone, and another tumultuous time for the standings. The Mets are back in the running, for now, and the AL Wildcard race is in a virtual tie, just 1.0 games behind the Yankees. The Rays finally dropped out of the lead, having spent more time leading the division since April than in the whole rest of their existence combined. Thanks to taking down Doc Halladay, the Twins are managing to hold off the Tigers, while the White Sox are trying to become relevant again. None of this stopped the Rangers, who continue their climb up the rankings. And a funny story: the third best team in the majors right now isn’t even in the playoffs. I wonder which division they’re in. With so many teams still having a legitimate shot to make some noise, let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Monday, June 21 before the day’s games:

National League

#1 Atlanta Braves vs #3 St. Louis Cardinals

Atlanta has won their last five to get a 1.5-game lead over San Diego, while the Cardinals took advantage of Cincinnati’s troubling troubles against Seattle to take a 1.5-game lead in their division. Atlanta’s pitching has been pretty good, save for Kenshin Kawakami (0-9 in 14 starts), though the Braves are the only team whose home record has a single digit in the loss column (24-7). That’s not good for the Cardinals, even with Pujols.

#2 San Diego Padres vs #W New York Mets

The Mets have not done well against the Yankees, but thankfully for them, the Dodgers have done even worse against the Red Sox. The season series between these two has been split 3-3, but the Padres had a fun 18-6 home blowout over the Mets to end May. Adrian Gonzalez will be the offensive key to complement the pitching. Jason Bay might want to figure out how to hit home runs again.

American League

#1 New York Yankees vs #3 Minnesota Twins

Minnesota’s done a nice job against Philadelphia, but so has New York. A-Rod, Jeter, Teixeira, C.C.: how do you think Minnesota will do, especially sans home field advantage?

#2 Texas Rangers vs #W Tampa Bay Rays

Texas has won their last eight, and 11 of their last 12. Tampa continued to have issues with their in-state rivals Florida, and are now tied with the Red Sox at 1.0 game behind New York, and only have .003 more percentage points than Boston. Tampa started great, but Texas has been greater lately. And if the Cliff Lee rumors turn into something, that’ll do it for Tampa.

What Might Change Next Week:

The Red Sox can write off the Ubaldo Jimenez and Tim Lincecum games now, but have a decent shot at winning the other four, provided anyone not named Lester or Buchholz doesn’t screw up (again), and taking over for Tampa in the process.
The Giants have the Red Sox and the Padres have the Rays. Lincecum is going for the Giants, and the Padres will be the visitors. If the Giants can crack the Red Sox’ pitching, which should be too hard inning to inning, they’ll take over the division.

Tags: Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, MLB Playoffs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers