The Big Finish
Last night's win was important for a lot of reasons. It allowed the Yankees to take the season series 10-8 after starting out 1-5 against Boston. It capped off a 7-2 road trip. But, most importantly, it kept the wild card lead at 2-1/2 games. Detroit has woken up and they are playing very, very well right now.
Detroit also has a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way. After playing three games in Cleveland, they should cruise the rest of the way. Three home games against the Royals, three home games against the Twins and a road trip for three games in Chicago. The Yankees start a three game set at home against Baltimore tonight followed by four against Toronto. Then they hit the road for three games in Tampa and three in Baltimore.
I think the Yankees should be able to close the season 8-5. That would force Detroit to go 10-2 to tie them, which doesn't seem impossible when you look at their schedule. The odds favor the Yankees, but things will probably go down to that final weekend.
Comments
You are actually being a bit pessimistic with respect to the final games. I think a conservative estimate for the Yanks is 8-5, however, they are not playing a very tough schedule either, and could go 10-3. (Remember no Bedard and probably no Guthrie for the Orioles) The Tigers schedule is really no easier than the Yanks given the three games IN Cleveland. By the way, the Yankees won the coin toss, and if there is a tie (which is unlikely), the game would be played at the Stadium. Enjoy your site...keep up the good work.
Posted by: Brian | September 17, 2007 10:45 AM |
Peter, I noticed Mussina is pitching game 2 in the upcoming Baltimore series. Does that mean the Yanks are going with the 6 man rotation now?
Posted by: Tripp | September 17, 2007 11:23 AM |
conservative considering how the Yanks are playing.
I would look at who they have left and suggest they will go 9-4 or 10-3 which means Detroit would have to 11-1 or 12-0 to tie.
BTW - I still can't come to grips with yankee fans conceeding (at least publicly) the division.
If the yankees go 9-4 or 10-3 as I suggest, to tie the Sox and win the division because they won the season series against the sox, the Sox would have to go 4-8 or 5-7 to end in a tie.
That, while not likely, is possible. One bad series is all it takes.
Posted by: blmeanie | September 17, 2007 11:51 AM |
With these two teams, the last regular season game features two aging aces putting on great shows followed by the inevitable ninth inning which not even Hollywood could script any better:
bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth, Sox trailing by one. Mr. Clutch, down to his last strike, facing Mo the Closer.
It all defines a Cardiac Close to a Great Game.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
September 17, 2007 12:39 PM
|
Detroit is playing very good ball. Given the trouble the Yanks have had with Baltimore, they could be in for a tough road.
In the event of a tie, is there a one game playoff for the wildcard or is there a tie-breaker?
Posted by: Corey | September 17, 2007 02:43 PM |
It may be conservative, but I I figured 8-5 based on winning 2 of 3 each series and splitting the 4-game tilt with Toronto. It works out to a .615 clip. Obviously, 9-4 or 10-3 is possible too.
Tripp- I haven't heard anything definite yet, but it looks like Kennedy is being skipped for now.
BL- I can't speak for everyone, but I gave up on the division a long time ago. We argued this one back in August and while they are in it until they are eliminated, I just don't see it happening.
Corey- It would be a one-game playoff at Yankee Stadium.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
September 17, 2007 04:55 PM
|
Well, if we really wanted the Yankees to exorcize all the demons of their recent past, we'd root for a one game playoff against Detroit, a best of 5 against the Angels, a best of 7 against the Red Sox, and then a best of 7 against Arizona.
Posted by: corey | September 18, 2007 02:05 PM |