Fantastic Finale

The baseball season does not get better than this. I am currently flipping through four different games that have a distinct impact on the National League playoffs. One team can completely control their own destiny, and that is the San Diego Padrs. The Pads can lock up the Wild Card with a win at Milwaukee. Two other teams, the Mets and Phillies, can extend their seasons with a win, but they need help in order to avoid a playoff. Then there is the Rockies, who need a win, plus a San Deigo loss to force a playoff game with someone undetermined thus far.

The Mets are probably the biggest story of the day and certainly the biggest disappointment-- that is if you are a Mets fan. It appeared New York had the advantage on paper going into today because they were sending future Hall Of Famer Tom Glavine to the hill. Glavine, who has a reputation as a big game pitcher, was a safe bet to get the win and hopefully lock up the East for the Mets.

Well, that wishful thknking ended almost immediately after the first pitch was thrown. Glavine yielded 7 runs without even getting out of the first inning, all but ending the Mets hope of winning their division. I have never seen such an energized atmosphere, like the one that usually accompanies ballgames at Shea Stadium, become so deflated so quickly. The youthful Marlins took it right to the uptight Mets, and they are currently trailing 8-1 in the 6th inning.

The Phillies seem like the loosest team of them all, even though they have just as much on the line today. I assume the pressure in the Mets clubhouse comes from the fact that they were the easy favorite to win the divison, especially when they were 7 games up with only 17 left to play. Their collapse, coupled with the always abundant pressure from the New York media, has created an atmosphere that is not conducive to winning.

In Philadelphia, there weren't many expectations for their ballclub when they were all but dead a month ago. As the tide started to turn, and the Phils piled up the wins, the City Of Brotherly Love showed their true passion for the city and Citizens Bank ballpark is absolutely rocking this afternoon.

The Phillies look like they are on the brink of taking home the NL East title as they take a 5-1 lead into the seventh inning stretch. Confidence breeds success in practically everything in life, but almost always in baseball. If you have confidence, you at least have a good chance of succeeding. On the flip side, if you don't have confidence, there is absolutely zero chance for success in baseball. The Phillies are letting it all hang loose and are enjoying the postseason push. They are forcing the issue and look as if they are throwing caution to the wind. What an exciting ballgame taking place up there.

As much fun as we are having in the upper-northeast, the most impotant game of the day for all teams involved is the game taking place in Milwaukee. The Brewers are playing the role of best friend right now as they can't go to the postseason, yet aren't exaclty playing spoiler for the Padres either. They are more like playing the role of prolonger for San Diego.

Milwaukee has stormed back and taken a 6-4 lead as it stands right now in the top of the 6th. San Diego, of course, wants to end it today to avoid having to play the extra playoff game. But of all the teams looking at the 1-game playoff, San Diego should have the most confidence. They will send ace Jake Peavy to the mound on full rest if they happen to lose today's game.

At this point, it is apparent the Mets are all but done in the postseason picture. We will stay tuned to the San Diego-Milwaukee game.

For the other NL West club, and the most entertaining team not named the Phillies, the Rockies are deadlocked in a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fourth. They will certainly be playing loose today, as it seems lke they have forgotten how to lose. They are a couragious bunch, and they know they have nothing to lose. There were not these type of expectations at any point for this Colorado club.

The Rockies were expected to be good, but I am not sure if anyone thought they would make a turnaround like this so quickly. They played decent ball through July to at least stay afloat, and then went on a tear to win 12 in a row at one point. What a story it would be if this team could find the backdoor into the Division Series. I am pulling for them.

Stay tuned as there is action to wrap up. The Mets and Phillies games seem to be pretty settled, and the Rockie-Padres games are going to be barnburners. What a way to finish up the regular season. Crazy game, baseball is.