The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to clinch the playoffs today, but instead got hammered by the Cincinnati Reds. However, the Nationals split a double-header with the Marlins and the Cardinals lost to the Brewers, so not much changed in the playoff race. The magic number for the playoffs is two, and the Pirates enter the final week of the season tied with the Reds for the Wild Card, with both teams sitting two games back from the Cardinals.
NL Central
Brewers 6, Cardinals 3
Reds 11, Pirates 3
The Cardinals lost a game in the standings, however the Pirates couldn’t capitalize. Instead of moving to within one game of St. Louis, the Pirates moved back to a tie for second place with the Reds, at two games back each.
The magic number for the Cardinals is five.
Wild Card
Reds 11, Pirates 3
Marlins 4, Nationals 2
Nationals 5, Marlins 4
The magic number for the Pirates and Reds is now two, which means that any combination of two wins or two Washington losses would clinch the playoffs for either team. At this point one of the Reds and Pirates would have to lose out, and Washington would have to win out to take a playoff spot. Basically the Reds and Pirates are both in, and it’s just a question of when it becomes official.
The two teams are tied for the Wild Card. The tiebreaker for home field advantage will be determined by the best head to head record. Currently the season series is 8-8, although there will be a three game series next weekend to prevent any ties for the season series. That series could be a playoff series in itself. If both teams enter the weekend tied, they would be playing that series for home field advantage in the Wild Card race.
If one team entered the weekend with a lead in the Wild Card race, then the other team would still have a shot at home field advantage. No matter what scenario you run, home field advantage in the Wild Card matchup would be determined next week.
It’s still possible that either team could have a shot at the division, and the Nationals could help them out. Washington plays the Cardinals in a three game series this week. The Nationals have been hot lately, while the Cardinals haven’t exactly been playing their best. The focus will be on the Wild Card race between the Reds and Pirates, but both teams are still alive in the division race.
Playoff Seeding
Braves 5, Cubs 2
Brewers 6, Cardinals 3
Dodgers 1, Padres 0
The loss by the Cardinals today moves them a game and a half back from Atlanta. The Dodgers moved a game behind the Cardinals and two and a half back from the Braves. All three teams are still in the race for the top seed, but it looks like Atlanta is the most likely to take that top seed. If the Pirates make and win the Wild Card game, that would put them up against the Braves in their first real playoff series since 1992, and we all know who the opponent of that last playoff series was.
1. Atlanta
2. St. Louis
3. Los Angeles
4. Cincinnati/Pittsburgh
