Rays, Dodgers Can Taste It; Phillies, Mets, Brewers Battle On

Players of the Day from Wednesday, September 24, 2008 American League Minnesota's Joe Mauer didn't get a hit in four at-bats, but he grounded into a first inning fielder's choice which plated the first run, and did the same in the second, driving in what proved to be the game-winner in the Twins' 3-2 decision over the White Sox. Minnesota now trails Chicago by a mere 1/2 game in the down-to-the-wire AL Central, and will have a chance to take the lead at home tonight as the division leaders wrap up their head-to-head series. In the East, Tampa Bay reduced its magic number to 1, dominating Baltimore, 11-6. Boston remained 3 back with a 5-4 win over Cleveland. Both have already qualified for the post-season. One more Tampa win or Boston loss will award the AL East title to the Rays. Notes: The Angels won their 98th game and are two ahead of Tampa Bay with the league's overall best record. The team with the best record in the league receives home field advantage in the playoffs and will host the wild card in the first series. National League Nomar Garciaparra homered, doubled, scored twice and drove in a pair as the Dodgers bombed San Diego, 12-4, reducing their magic number to clinch the NL West to 1. With the Cardinals knocking off Arizona for the second night in a row, LA is virtually assured of post-season action. A LA win or an Arizona lost will finish the job. Matters became more complicated in the wild card race. The Mets lost and the Brewers won, putting those two in a tie at 87-71. Philadelphia lost to Atlanta, 10-4, keeping the Mets close in the NL East race, down just 1 1/2 games. Notes: Obviously, the East division and wild card are going to be settled over the final weekend. The Mets finish their series with the Cubs on Thursday, and then host the Marlins in the final three game series. Those Cubs finish at Milwaukee. The Brewers have a Thursday game with Pittsburgh remaining before hosting the series. Chicago has great incentive, even though they've already clinched. At times this season, they have dominated the Brewers, so it's not expected that they'll lie down over the final weekend. Philadelphia would seem to have an easy route to the AL East crown. After a day off Thursday, they are home for three days with the lowly Nationals. A sweep assures the Phillies of the title. Washington needs just one more loss to reach 100.

Nomar Hits His Stride; Angels' Anderson Still an RBI Machine

Players of the Day from Friday, July 18, 2008 American League Garret Anderson stroked three singles and whacked his 9th home run of the season as his five RBI night boosted the Angels to an 11-3 stomping of Boston in a battle of division leaders on Friday. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the loss dropped them out of first place in the AL East as Anderson went 4-for-4. The Tampa Bay Rays stopped their 7-game skid, knocking off Toronto, 2-1, and moved 1/2-game ahead of Boston. The Angels are continuing to separate from the crowd. At 58-38, they have the best record in the majors, a 7-game lead over 2nd place Oakland, and a winning record in every category: home, away, against each division and 10-8 in interleague play. Notes: The battle for first place between the Red Sox and the Rays seems to suit the Yankees just fine, thank you. With a 7-1 win over the A's on Friday, New York has snuck to within 5 1/2 games of the lead. National League After missing most of the season due to injuryNomar Garciaparra played in his 11th game since being sidelined April 25 and a fresh Nomar may be just what the Dodgers need to surge past the Arizona Diamondbacks. The timing couldn't have been better for Garciaparra to go 3-for-5 with a pair of homers and a single, driving in 3 runs in an 8-7, 11-inning win over Arizona which tied the two teams for first place in the NL West. While Garciaparra's effort was noteworthy, James Loney's 8th home run of the season - a solo shot in the top of the 11th - proved to be the game winner. Notes: The other divisional races in the NL are also tightening. With the Cubs losing and St. Louis and Milwaukee both winners on Friday, Chicago holds a 3 game edge over the Cardinals, with the Brewers a game further back. In the East, Philly knocked down the Marlins, 4-2, while the Reds ended the Mets' 10-game win streak with a 5-2 win. That leaves the Phillies on top with the Mets 1 back and the Marlins 2 1/2 games out.