Well here we are. Today is the final day of the MLB season…maybe. We could have one game tomorrow. We could have two games tomorrow. But right now, all we know for sure is that the Braves, Cardinals, Rays and Red Sox are all in must-win mode. Boston and Tampa Bay are tied at the top of the AL Wild Card standings with 90-71 records. Last night, Boston defeated Baltimore 8-7, withstanding a late rally by the Orioles in the ninth to get the win. Tampa Bay beat New York 5-3 on the strength of a three run homer by Matt Joyce off of former Rays closer Rafael Soriano in the seventh inning.
Meanwhile in the National League, the Braves got blitzed by the Phillies, 7-1. The team only had four hits, and has scored just 11 runs over its past six games. To add injury to insult, starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez left the game after reaggravating a calf injury, and the team called up Tyler Pastornicky from AAA. Veteran Jack Wilson will likely get the start at short tomorrow for Atlanta. As for the Cardinals, they overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Astros 13-6. The win for the Cardinals wasn’t without fault though, as Matt Holliday left the game with a sore hand. If Holliday can’t get, Allen Craig should get the nod in left in tomorrow’s penultimate game against the Astros.
This is the second straight year that Atlanta’s season has come down to the final game. Last year, they were tied with San Diego for the wild card lead on the final day. Atlanta beat Philadelphia, and San Francisco beat San Diego to send the Braves back to the playoffs.
Tomorrow in Baltimore, Boston will send ace Jon Lester to the mound to take on Alfredo Simon. Lester has allowed 16 runs in his last three starts, spanning 13 2/3 innings. The Rays too are sending their ace to the mound, as David Price will toe the hill for Tampa Bay against the infamous UNDECIDED for the Yankees. It’s Freddy Garcia’s turn in the rotation, but because of the rain out in New York on Friday, Garcia would only be going on three days rest. With the team saving CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova for the first two games of the division series, the game could end up just being a cavalcade of relievers for the AL East champions.
Meanwhile in the National League, Braves ace Tim Hudson will go against Joe Blanton of the Phillies in a game that could end up seeing a few relievers get action for Philadelphia. Another ace will go for St Louis, as they’ll send former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter, who has a 1.45 ERA over his last four starts, to the hill against Brett Myers, who has won four straight starts and has a 1.41 ERA in his last six appearances.
