MLB 2012 Wildcard & Divisional Playoffs

[beng]

So... we've got two games to go in the regular season, and I figured we needed to dicuss the craziness that is MLB playoff baseball race in one place.

Here's the list of team's with a high probability of making it or a spot already secured:

AL East:
New York Yankees - 1 Game lead with 2 to play (Clinched playoff spot)
Baltimore Orioles - Clinched playoff spot, still a shot at division.

AL Central:
Detroit Tigers - Clinched Division

AL West:
Texas Ranger - 1 Game lead with 2 to play (Clinched playoff spot)
Oakland Athletics - Clinched playoff spot, still a shot at division.

Yankees and Rangers are tied with best record (currently).

NL East:
Washington Nationals - Clinched Division
Atlanta Braves - Clinched Wildcard

NL Central:
Cincinnati Reds - Clinched Division
St Louis Cardinals - Leading Second WC Spot

NL West:
San Francisco Giants - Clinched Division
LA Dodgers - Trailing Cards for WC but not yet eliminated

Nats and Reds are currently tied for best record in NL

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Wildcard and Divisional Playoff Round Schedule:

1 Game Division Tie Breaker Playoff AL (If Needed) - Thursday October 4th
1 Game Wildcard Playoff Round (AL& NL) - Friday October 5th
5 Game Divisional Series (For 2/3 Seeds in Each League) - Begins Saturday October 6th
5 Game Divisional Series (For 1 seeds and WC Playoff Winners) - Begins Sunday October 7th

There is a crap load of awesome baseball to look forward to here. WC spost, Division Champs and playoff matchups all pretty much in the air. Kudos to MLB on the new format.

How do you guys think the last two days will play out?

[g60rabbit]

There is a crap load of awesome baseball to look forward to here. WC spost, Division Champs and playoff matchups all pretty much in the air. Kudos to MLB on the new format.

How do you guys think the last two days will play out?

I like the regular season format with the addition of the extra WC. I hate the playoff format.

Baseball shouldnt have a 1 and done playoff round.

This year and this year alone the lower seeds get the first 2 playoff games in the divisional series

If the Yankees lose today, and the A's and O's win what happens?

They will all have 94 wins and the Yankees are 9-9 against O's and 5-5 against A's.

If the Yankees win they are locked into 1 seed and would open at either Baltimore or Texas [if nothing else in standings changes]

[BrianC]

If the Yankees and O's end up in a tie and have to play a divisional playoff game tomorrow, what sucks is that the loser will have to fly to either Oakland or Texas immediately after for the WC playoff on Friday. That travel will put the east team at a big disadvantage IMO...no rest plus the jet lag - that's gonna be a tired bunch of players.

[g60rabbit]

If the Yankees and O's end up in a tie and have to play a divisional playoff game tomorrow, what sucks is that the loser will have to fly to either Oakland or Texas immediately after for the WC playoff on Friday. That travel will put the east team at a big disadvantage IMO...no rest plus the jet lag - that's gonna be a tired bunch of players.

And I think that game would be at Baltimore because they have a better record in the division?

In the divisional series the lower seed has homefield

Who has homefield in the first WC game??

Theoretically.

Yanks and O's play a tie breaker.

Loser flys to the West coast for another 1 game playoff.

Then if the east coast team wins they will fly back Thursday night to host the 1 seed?

Do I have that right

[BrianC]

not 100% sure about this

And I think that game would be at Baltimore because they have a better record in the division? Correct

In the divisional series the lower seed has homefield

Who has homefield in the first WC game?? I think season series record, and if tied, it's record against division opponents

Theoretically.

Yanks and O's play a tie breaker.

Loser flys to the West coast for another 1 game playoff.

Then if the east coast team wins they will fly back Thursday night to host the 1 seed? Not sure about that one

Do I have that right

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

[beng]

Lookin like we'll have another triple crown winner.

This is like a perfect storm for MLB. Not only has the second WC created a bunch of new exceitement... but the two of the 6 divisions will come down to the last regular season game. Doesnt get any better than the AL West race. Crazy... wish I could stay up and watch tonight.

Heres the update on the playoff picture last night:

AL East:
New York Yankees - 1 Game lead with 1 to play (Clinched playoff spot & division tie)
Baltimore Orioles - Clinched playoff spot, still shot at a tie for division.

AL Central:
Detroit Tigers - Clinched Division

AL West:
Texas Ranger - Clinched playoff spot...tie for division lead with one game left
Oakland Athletics - Clinched playoff spot...tie for division lead with one game left

Yankees have the best record.... but there *could* be a three way tie for best record in the AL if the Os and Rangers or As win tonight and the Yanks lose. Thats nuts. I think it goes to season record as tie breaker in the case of a tie in best records? Anyone know? A Yankee win decides the East but also locks up first seed for them. As and Rangers are playing what is basically a one game playoff for the division crown tonight.

NL East:
Washington Nationals - Clinched Division
Atlanta Braves - Clinched Wildcard

NL Central:
Cincinnati Reds - Clinched Division
St Louis Cardinals - Clinched Wildcard

NL West:
San Francisco Giants - Clinched Division

Nats and Reds are still tied for best record in NL, with one game to play. All plaoff spots and divisions are squared away, but the matchups wont be set until the Nats/Reds have played tonight's game. If they both win or lose, and finish in a tie for best record... I think it comes down to season series... but again, I'm not sure. Anyone know?

[g60rabbit]

OK The seeding

Yankees
A's
Detriot
Baltimore
Texas

WC game on Friday Baltimore Vs. Texas

I have Baltimore in this one and I dont even know who is pitching for them [Darvish for Texas]. Texas is in a downward spiral.

So then it will be

Yankees AT Baltimore [or Texas]

A's AT Detriot

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

OK The seeding

Yankees
A's
Detriot
Baltimore
Texas

WC game on Friday Baltimore Vs. Texas

I have Baltimore in this one and I dont even know who is pitching for them [Darvish for Texas]. Texas is in a downward spiral.

So then it will be

Yankees AT Baltimore [or Texas]

A's AT Detriot

I have Baltimore winning too

[tbvvw]

I have Baltimore in this one and I dont even know who is pitching for them [Darvish for Texas].

The beauty of the O's since the all-star break is their winning % doesn't depend on who's on the mound. I'm not even sure who the #1/2 is in the rotation right now...not sure Buck knows either...

Go O's...

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

The beauty of the O's since the all-star break is their winning % doesn't depend on who's on the mound. I'm not even sure who the #1/2 is in the rotation right now...not sure Buck knows either...

Go O's...

Just get it to your bullpen...they have been lights out this year

[beng]

Buck isnt even going to reveal his game 1 starters (at least until MLB forces him to).

[g60rabbit]

Buck isnt even going to reveal his game 1 starters (at least until MLB forces him to).

Forget about 2012. The O's wont win it all this year. The key is to fire Buck at years end which would garantee the O's will win it in 2013

See Arizona and New York

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

Forget about 2012. The O's wont win it all this year. The key is to fire Buck at years end which would garantee the O's will win it in 2013

See Arizona and New York

LOL

[BrianC]

Buck is going with Saunders for the WC game - that makes me nervous especially given his record against TX in that park. If he can give us four or five good innings, and we can get a few runs early, I think we are in good shape.

[beng]

Here's the schedule for today and tomorrow:

Friday
NL — St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves, 5 p.m. ET
AL — Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers, 8:30 p.m. ET

Saturday
ALDS Game 1 — Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, 6 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 1 — Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants, 9:30 p.m. ET

Im pretty amped for these games.

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

Here's the schedule for today and tomorrow:

Friday
NL — St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves, 5 p.m. ET
AL — Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers, 8:30 p.m. ET

Saturday
ALDS Game 1 — Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, 6 p.m. ET
NLDS Game 1 — Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants, 9:30 p.m. ET

Im pretty amped for these games.

Im watching every game..gonna be fun, Go Tigers!

[imagine29028]

I've waited 15 years for this!!!


I've been so anxious all day.

LET'S GO O's!!!!

[beng]

I heard one of the worst calls in playoff baseball history just happened... But Im stuck in class

[b2m_vw]

I think the call was made late.... but I can't disagree with the call.

[beng]

The games have all been pretty good so far. None of the teams that made it looked like they didnt belong. When Cueto left last night I thought it was his elbow but it turned out to be back spasms.

Lets Go Yankees today!