Good morning, all! I hope your Monday is off to a terrific start.
Those who read this newsletter on a regular basis know I like to harken back to the 1967 American League pennant race. It was the last, true pennant race in that it went down to the last day of the season, involving four teams with a chance to win the pennant and go to the World Series. There were no divisions, no wild cards, no playoffs. Just a winner-take-all trip to the series.
Such a dramatic finish is tough to replicate and that is one of the reasons we now have divisional play, wild card teams, several rounds of playoffs, etc. MLB wants that 1967 pennant race year in and year out. Well, they are getting it this season in a big way.
Entering the final week of the regular season, the Mets are on the verge of falling out of the National League playoff race. If the Mets come up short, it would be quite the story, considering they have the second highest payroll in MLB ($341M) and made a huge splash, signing Juan Soto. Entering today, the Mets are tied with the Reds for the final NL wild card spot, but Cincinnati holds the tie breaker.
The American League is even more intriguing, as only one club has qualified for the playoffs; the Toronto Blue Jays. No team has yet to clinch a division. At least in the NL two divisions have been clinched and four clubs out of a possible six teams have qualified for the post season.
The AL race is fascinating because the Detroit Tigers have blown a huge lead and are hanging onto a one-game edge over Cleveland, which saw its 10-game winning streak snapped Sunday by the Twins. Now the Tigers go into Cleveland for a big three-game series against the Guardians and finish up with three at Fenway. They could go from comfortably in front in the Central Division to also rans.
Just as intriguing are the Red Sox, who have to beat the Toronto Blue Jays this week to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, if they beat the playoff-bound Jays, they help their big rivals the Yankees, who could end up winning their division. New York finishes its season with six home games against the league’s tomato cans, the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. The weekend series against Detroit could also be big with both clubs fighting for their playoff lives.
So even if the system has been manipulated with more wild card teams, if that’s what it takes to keep baseball in the conversation, entering September’s final week, then the wild card has achieved its purpose.
Here are some other thoughts, as I ponder peace being at hand between Bill Parcells and Robert Kraft:
Yes, Parcells and Kraft have made up, after the Patriots owner pushed hard to get Parcells into the franchise’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place on Saturday and Parcells, 84, was beaming. Never one to admit he was at fault, Parcells even suggested he may have been too hasty in parting with the Pats after four seasons, as head coach. A big admission from “Big Tuna,” to say the lest.
Maybe this is the year of the Seattle Mariners, the only team to never play in a World Series.
Anyone who thinks the Cincinnati Bengals still have a chance to make the playoffs, with QB Joe Burrow sidelined for three months, is not paying attention. Jake Browning is not the answer. Kirk Cousins is out there. Jameis Winston is out there. Somebody needs to make a call, after the Bengals 48-10 dismantling by the Vikings.
With Bill Belichick spotted on the sideline talking to his girl friend Jordon Hudson before his UNC team got blown out by UCF, 34-9, on Saturday, the rumors are floating that he could quit the Tar Heels before too long and end up coaching the Dolphins. Remember, I wrote last week, expect a lot of click bait, and the internet is not disappointing with stories suggesting Belichick will be Miami’s next coach. I still say coach Mike McDaniel’s team is poised to win three of its next four games.
Yes, the Indy Colts are 3-0 under QB Daniel Jones.
Are the Cowboys really that bad?
I think it’s fair to say the New York Yankees have not missed Juan Soto this season.
Are you all ready for the Ryder Cup?
Autumn arrives this afternoon.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing and have a great start to your week.
DAN