MLB Baseball AL: Playoffs coming!

[havefunkc]

OK - there's less than 20 games remaining in the regular season. The 'New' version of playoffs are just around the corner. Let's take a look at the season and possible playoff teams:

AL East:
Holy Schmolly Batman!! THE Baltimore Orioles are currently in 1st place?!!! If Buck Showalter doesn't win Manger-of-the-Year, I would like to know who got paid off...
The Yankees should make the playoffs as well (but play lately makes that now a question more than a statement).
The Rays: may be on the outside looking in thanks to the Orioles and A's...
Blue Jays: keep plugging boys...
Red Sox: My surprise team of the year! That clubhouse is a disaster!!

AL Central:
ChiSox are definitely pulling things together under rookie manager Robin Ventura. I still don't think they'll finish strong enough for Central pennant, but they could squeak by...
The Tigers: Not a total disaster this season like the BoSox, but still disappointing compared to where everyone in the baseball world thought they would be... We have 18 games left and their season is still in doubt. I think they'll take the Central, but not as easily as they should have...
Everyone else: Winter meetings are in December.

AL West:
Texas is - well, Texas. They are where they should be and were projected at during Spring Training. No surprise there, even if it's not been quite as easy this year.
The A's: Billy Beane is doing it again in 2012. Putting together a bunch of no-names, rookies and trailing vets to put themselves in contention for the playoffs. You got to give him credit 0 he just keeps making magic in Oakland - somehow.
The Los Angel... oh, The Angels: disappointment #2 in my book this year. How could they NOT have put together a better season. Probably the best pitching staff in the West along with a decent lineup bolstered by All-world Albert! The Angels can thank the BoSox for keeping this blah season out of the media as much as it has been... They won't make the playoffs in 2012.
Seattle: actually, they have done better than most expected. 100 loses in 2012 was not out of the question. They beat that already.

So, I say the AL Playoffs look like...
- Baltimore @ Oakland for Wild Card game (Bal wins)
- Baltimore @ Texas round 1 (Texas wins)
- NY @ Detroit round 1 (Detroit wins)
Detroit @ Texas for AL Championship (Detroit wins)

Pipe in with your projections!

[AppSt94]

I am still holding out hope for the Rays. True they couldn't their way out of a wet paper bag, but the A's and Orioles are playing above their heads and Tampa is more consistent. They are more than capable of a modest 6 game winning streak and then hang on. The Orioles seem to be a team of destiny, but the one run games can switch in a heartbeat and they become the ones on the outside looking in. Fingers crossed.

[kiddbrewer]

I don't keep up with the AL much, but I sure am glad to see the Yankees struggling.

I'll chime in when you do a rundown on the NL.

[skjellyfetti]

Go O's! First non-losing season since I was 12!

[havefunkc]

Go O's! First non-losing season since I was 12!

I can't say I'm much of an O's fan, but it is nice to see the Birds get a season again. It's been WAY too long for the boys at Camden Yards.

[AppSt94]

Go O's! First non-losing season since I was 12!

I think that it's great that another AL East team has risen to relevance. Yet more proof that the AL East is the best division in baseball.

[ZTABabyMtnr]

Orioles Magic baby!

It's the return of the cartoon Bird that did it.

[AppSt94]

I believe you are correct about the bird. They seem to be destined to "do a little dance, make a little glove" in October.

[havefunkc]

I believe you are correct about the bird. They seem to be destined to "do a little dance, make a little glove" in October.

Ooo... So bad...

How 'bout this:

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[goapps]

Been a Birds fan since '69 and waiting for this team since '97. As they say up in Bal'mur "How 'bout them O's hon?

[havefunkc]

Been a Birds fan since '69 and waiting for this team since '97. As they say up in Bal'mur "How 'bout them O's hon?

The days of the Human Vacuum Cleaner at 3rd base and Big Man Boog on 1st base. Way back... I still dislike Brooksie for what he did to the Reds in '70. The Reds couldn't get anything by him!

[rbarthle17]

The days of the Human Vacuum Cleaner at 3rd base and Big Man Boog on 1st base. Way back... I still dislike Brooksie for what he did to the Reds in '70. The Reds couldn't get anything by him!

They have the new version of those two in Machado and (I can't believe I am saying this) Reynolds. Never would have figured him to become a Gold Glove caliber at first base.

3 more to go. How sweet an AL East crown would be!

[havefunkc]

They have the new version of those two in Machado and (I can't believe I am saying this) Reynolds. Never would have figured him to become a Gold Glove caliber at first base.

I imagine, you're not the only one there about Reynolds... He is so close to being another Adam Dunn.

[rbarthle17]

Have I mentioned lately how much I really hate the Yankees? I had no idea the O's needed to sweep September just to capture the AL East.