Playoff Picture, Part 2
Aug 19, 2013 10:12:26 GMT -5
Post by Brian (Blue Jays GM) on Aug 19, 2013 10:12:26 GMT -5
Hey folks, we're now 3 weeks away from the playoffs so here's another little snapshot of where all of the races stand.
Quick note on tiebreakers:
1) If two teams finish tied for first place in a division, the division winner will be the team with the best record within the division (listed on the league standings under "div").
2) If teams remain tied, Yahoo then looks at winning percentage for the final week of the season, followed by winning percentage for the second-to-last week, followed by the third-to-last week, etc. Basically, it just goes backwards until it reaches a point where one team has a better recent-record than the other. In the event of a wild card tie, only this second tiebreaker is used. This second tiebreaker will also be used to determine playoff seeding if two division winners have the same record.
3) In the event of a three-(or more)-way tie atop a division that is also a three-(or more)-way tie for the Wild Card, the division winner is determined by the first method and the Wild Card winner is determined by the second.
NL East:
The biggest win of the week belonged to the Nationals (12-6-1), who upset the current #2 seed and wildcard leading Giants 7-4 to maintain their 1 game lead in the division. The Phillies (11-7-1) kept pace with a win over the Braves, but will need some help along the way to pass the Nats. That help could come this week with the Nats facing the Dodgers, who own the third best record in the NL but are currently on the outside looking in to the playoff picture. The Braves, Mets, and Marlins have all been mathematically eliminated from contention.
NL Central:
There's a new leader in the NL Central this week as the Astros (11-7-1) beat the Brewers to take a half a game lead over the Reds (11-8-0) and Cubs (11-8-0). Cincinnati's loss to the Rockies last week may have cost them a shot to defend their Pro-GM Championship, and they'll also have to get through the Giants in the final week to have any chance of winning this race. The Dodgers can also impact this division race, as they'll take on the division leading Astros next week. With the softest schedule of the 3 contenders, look for the Cubs to make their big push over the next three weeks. The Cardinals, Brewers, and Pirates have all been mathematically eliminated from contention.
NL West:
By knocking off the Dodgers last week, the Diamondbacks (18-1-0) became the first NL team to clinch their playoff spot, and have also clinched the NL West division title and the #1 seed in the NL.
NL Wild Card:
The Giants (14-5-0) still hold a 1 game lead over the Dodgers (13-6-0) for the wild card and have an easier schedule down the stretch. With the Giants, Dodgers, and Reds losing last week, the Phillies now sit alone in third place and are 2.5 games back with 3 weeks remaining. The Cubs and Reds are both 3 games out. All other teams are mathematically eliminated.
AL East:
The Blue Jays (16-1-2) won in dominant fashion over the A's; they still hold the AL's #1 seed and have clinched a playoff birth, as have the Rays (15-2-2) who still sit just one game behind after a decisive win over the Twins. The Jays face a tough test this week in the NL Central champion Tigers, who will then face the Rays next week and could play spoiler in this tight division race. Should the division end up tied (the Jays would have to lose one more than the Rays the rest of the way), the Jays would hold the 1st tie breaker as they swept their divisional matchups this season. The Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles have all been mathematically eliminated.
AL Central:
The Tigers (15-0-4) are the #2 seed in the AL, tied for best record but behind the Jays due to the recent record tiebreaker. With a 6.5 game lead over Cleveland and only 3 weeks to go, the Tigers have clinched the AL Central division.
AL West:
The Mariners (11-7-1) kept their momentum going with a 6-5 win over the Orioles and continue to hold a 1.5 game lead over the Angels (10-9-0), who defeated the Yankees last week. The Rangers (9-9-1) are still 2 games back after a narrow victory over the Red Sox. The Angels season is on the line this week as they draw a tough matchup against the Rays. An Angels loss combined with a Mariners win over the Indians would eliminate Los Angeles. Same situation for the Rangers, who face the Twins this week and hope to stay alive. The Athletics have been mathematically eliminated.
AL Wild Card:
With the Jays and Rays having both clinched playoff spots, the wild card will serve as the consolation prize for the AL East pennant race.
Games to watch this week
Dodgers - Nationals: After knocking off the Giants last week, can the Nats defeat another strong opponent to maintain their NL East lead?
Phillies - Cardinals: The Phillies are still looking to catch up to the Nats in the NL East, and just might do so this week with some help from the Dodgers.
Brewers - Reds: Cincinnati suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Rockies last week, can they bounce back this week against the Brewers to stay in the race?
Astros - Pirates: Now sitting in 1st place with a clear path to a division title, the Astros look to keep building the momentum.
Cubs - Mets: Only a half-game out the Cubs are still very much alive in the NL Central race.
Giants - Marlins: After a disappointing loss to the Nationals last week that ended their shot at a division title, can the Giants hold on to their lead in the wild card race?
Blue Jays - Tigers: A possible ALCS preview, the AL East leader and current #1 seed takes on the AL Central Champion and #2 seed. Can the Tigers spoil the Jays hope for their first division title?
Rays - Angels: The Rays are looking to capitalize on the Jays tough matchup, the Angels are looking to stay alive in their division race. The loser of this matchup will be extremely disappointed.
Mariners - Indians: The Mariners are getting closer and closer to locking up the division title, they have a good shot at eliminating the Angels from the race if they win this week.
Rangers - Twins: Rangers trying to stay alive in the AL West, they need to win out and hope the Mariners lose a couple along the way.
Quick note on tiebreakers:
1) If two teams finish tied for first place in a division, the division winner will be the team with the best record within the division (listed on the league standings under "div").
2) If teams remain tied, Yahoo then looks at winning percentage for the final week of the season, followed by winning percentage for the second-to-last week, followed by the third-to-last week, etc. Basically, it just goes backwards until it reaches a point where one team has a better recent-record than the other. In the event of a wild card tie, only this second tiebreaker is used. This second tiebreaker will also be used to determine playoff seeding if two division winners have the same record.
3) In the event of a three-(or more)-way tie atop a division that is also a three-(or more)-way tie for the Wild Card, the division winner is determined by the first method and the Wild Card winner is determined by the second.
NL East:
The biggest win of the week belonged to the Nationals (12-6-1), who upset the current #2 seed and wildcard leading Giants 7-4 to maintain their 1 game lead in the division. The Phillies (11-7-1) kept pace with a win over the Braves, but will need some help along the way to pass the Nats. That help could come this week with the Nats facing the Dodgers, who own the third best record in the NL but are currently on the outside looking in to the playoff picture. The Braves, Mets, and Marlins have all been mathematically eliminated from contention.
NL Central:
There's a new leader in the NL Central this week as the Astros (11-7-1) beat the Brewers to take a half a game lead over the Reds (11-8-0) and Cubs (11-8-0). Cincinnati's loss to the Rockies last week may have cost them a shot to defend their Pro-GM Championship, and they'll also have to get through the Giants in the final week to have any chance of winning this race. The Dodgers can also impact this division race, as they'll take on the division leading Astros next week. With the softest schedule of the 3 contenders, look for the Cubs to make their big push over the next three weeks. The Cardinals, Brewers, and Pirates have all been mathematically eliminated from contention.
NL West:
By knocking off the Dodgers last week, the Diamondbacks (18-1-0) became the first NL team to clinch their playoff spot, and have also clinched the NL West division title and the #1 seed in the NL.
NL Wild Card:
The Giants (14-5-0) still hold a 1 game lead over the Dodgers (13-6-0) for the wild card and have an easier schedule down the stretch. With the Giants, Dodgers, and Reds losing last week, the Phillies now sit alone in third place and are 2.5 games back with 3 weeks remaining. The Cubs and Reds are both 3 games out. All other teams are mathematically eliminated.
AL East:
The Blue Jays (16-1-2) won in dominant fashion over the A's; they still hold the AL's #1 seed and have clinched a playoff birth, as have the Rays (15-2-2) who still sit just one game behind after a decisive win over the Twins. The Jays face a tough test this week in the NL Central champion Tigers, who will then face the Rays next week and could play spoiler in this tight division race. Should the division end up tied (the Jays would have to lose one more than the Rays the rest of the way), the Jays would hold the 1st tie breaker as they swept their divisional matchups this season. The Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles have all been mathematically eliminated.
AL Central:
The Tigers (15-0-4) are the #2 seed in the AL, tied for best record but behind the Jays due to the recent record tiebreaker. With a 6.5 game lead over Cleveland and only 3 weeks to go, the Tigers have clinched the AL Central division.
AL West:
The Mariners (11-7-1) kept their momentum going with a 6-5 win over the Orioles and continue to hold a 1.5 game lead over the Angels (10-9-0), who defeated the Yankees last week. The Rangers (9-9-1) are still 2 games back after a narrow victory over the Red Sox. The Angels season is on the line this week as they draw a tough matchup against the Rays. An Angels loss combined with a Mariners win over the Indians would eliminate Los Angeles. Same situation for the Rangers, who face the Twins this week and hope to stay alive. The Athletics have been mathematically eliminated.
AL Wild Card:
With the Jays and Rays having both clinched playoff spots, the wild card will serve as the consolation prize for the AL East pennant race.
Games to watch this week
Dodgers - Nationals: After knocking off the Giants last week, can the Nats defeat another strong opponent to maintain their NL East lead?
Phillies - Cardinals: The Phillies are still looking to catch up to the Nats in the NL East, and just might do so this week with some help from the Dodgers.
Brewers - Reds: Cincinnati suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Rockies last week, can they bounce back this week against the Brewers to stay in the race?
Astros - Pirates: Now sitting in 1st place with a clear path to a division title, the Astros look to keep building the momentum.
Cubs - Mets: Only a half-game out the Cubs are still very much alive in the NL Central race.
Giants - Marlins: After a disappointing loss to the Nationals last week that ended their shot at a division title, can the Giants hold on to their lead in the wild card race?
Blue Jays - Tigers: A possible ALCS preview, the AL East leader and current #1 seed takes on the AL Central Champion and #2 seed. Can the Tigers spoil the Jays hope for their first division title?
Rays - Angels: The Rays are looking to capitalize on the Jays tough matchup, the Angels are looking to stay alive in their division race. The loser of this matchup will be extremely disappointed.
Mariners - Indians: The Mariners are getting closer and closer to locking up the division title, they have a good shot at eliminating the Angels from the race if they win this week.
Rangers - Twins: Rangers trying to stay alive in the AL West, they need to win out and hope the Mariners lose a couple along the way.