Tuesday sports preview: The NL has the best races
September 4, 2007
The one thing I like more about the NL than the AL is the parity in the league. In recent history, the gap between the best teams and worst teams has been much closer in the NL than the AL, which makes for more exciting playoff races since more teams are within striking distance of the leaders.
GAME OF THE DAY:
San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:30 p.m. The Padres pummeled the D’Backs in the series opener 10-2, to move into first place by one game over Arizona. As Ducksnorts points out, the Padres’ offense is playing better than people realize lately. Despite the loss, one of my favorite players to watch, Eric Byrnes, is playing well lately. Today’s probables: Chris Young vs. Doug Davis.
OTHER BIG MLB GAMES:
Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 5 p.m. The Dodgers handily beat the Cubs in the series opener, winning 11-3. Carlos Zambrano hasn’t pitched too well since signing that contract extension. Since both the Brewers and Cardinals lost, the Cubs remain 1.5 games in front of Milwaukee and 2 in front of St. Louis. The Dodgers are four behind San Diego in the NL West and three behind Arizona in the NL Wild Card. If they want to make the playoffs, Shea Hillenbrand should never play again.
Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees, 4 p.m. The wild card is the only exciting race that’s worth watching, with all three division leaders up by at least six games. Most people are under the impression though that the Yankees are just going to run away with the wild card. That could be why this series is so important. The Mariners won on Monday, and with a win tonight could be tied for the wild card lead.
WHO THE REST OF THE CONTENDERS ARE PLAYING:
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (2.5 games out of WC), 4 p.m.
New York Mets (5 game lead) at Cincinnati Reds, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Phillies (3 out of WC) at Atlanta Braves (5.5 out of WC), 4:30 p.m.
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers (1.5 out of NL Central), 5 p.m.
Cleveland Indians (6 game lead) at Minnesota Twins, 5 p.m.
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals (2 out of NL Central), 5 p.m.
San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies (4 out of WC), 5:30 p.m.
Oakland A’s at LA Angels (6.5 game lead), 7 p.m.
OTHER SPORTS:
None of relevance that I can find. Feel free to submit your own.
Gilbert
Ben
September 4, 2007 at 7:11 am
“Carols Zambrano hasn’t pitched too well” is an understatement so vast, the whole of the internets cannot contain it.
Actually, Z was doing pretty good through the third yesterday. It wasn’t until he made a ridiculously little league baserunning error in the bottom of the third that his work suffered. This is a man who not only plays the game with his whole heart, but will allow himself to let it get the best of him. He may have been able to come back from the mistake had there not been two separate delays waiting for the lights to be turned off – and then back on again.
Good thing the gin was fully stocked yesterday.
September 4, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Becky: I’ve been wondering about Zambrano…he looked terrible yesterday for the parts I watched. Is he trying to strike everyone out whenever something goes wrong (and thus combusting instead)? He’s looking more and more like Oliver Perez with slightly better stuff. Depending on the outing, this is either a great compliment or, well, you saw yesterday’s game. The Cubs need to find someone in the off-season who can get Zambrano to calm down and focus.
September 4, 2007 at 4:02 pm
That’s it right there in your last line – focus.
I don’t think he’s combusting because he’s trying for strikeouts, I think it’s just because he gets so worked up he just loses his ability to concentrate.
You’re probably right about needing someone who can get Z to regain his cool during a game. The Cubs have had a revolving door behind the plate this year and I’m sure that hasn’t helped.
September 4, 2007 at 10:35 pm
It doesn’t have to be the catcher talking to Zambrano. Just catch a Mets game (espcially today, with Perez pitching – he’s crazy). Delgado can’t hit like he used to, but he’s trying to become the team’s shrink. He goes out to talk to pitchers during a jam at least once a game…and usually more than LoDuca. (I guess LoDuca’s not the most calming of influences.)