MLB: The Hunt for the Postseason

Tonight here at the MLB Corner, we are starting a new series of posts. Each night at about an hour before the first night games start, one of us will create a post to preview that night's games that involve the contending teams only. We consider teams within 5 games of a playoff spot (wild card of division) AND/OR in second place in the division in playoff contention. I will start by posting pitching match ups, opponents, game times, ect. then will update as the night moves on.


AL East

New York Yankees
Record: 75-45
GB: First Place
WC: -
Opponent: @ Oak (53-66)
Game Time: 10:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Chad Gaudin (5-10, 5.13 ERA) VS Brett Anderson (7-8, 4.55 ERA).
Yesterday: The Yankees took game 2 of the best of 3 set to even the series.
Notes:
* The Yankees are 4-2 on this road trip.
* According to the New York Times, Damso Marte might rejoin the team this weekend in Boston. Marte has missed almost 4 months with shoulder inflammation.
* Outfielder Brett Gardner will need to wear a splint on his broken left thumb for another week, but the Yankees expect him back in September.
* Mark Teixeira is a leading candidate for the AL MVP, and Mark Silva let Strat-O-Matic settle the debate.



Boston Red Sox
Record: 65-51
GB: 7
WC: Tied for First with Texas
Opponent: @TOR (55-62)
Game Time: 7:07 ET
Pitching Matchup: Clay Buchholz (1-3, 4.45 ERA VS Roy Halladay (13-5, 2.65 ERA)
Yesterday: Red Sox won 10-9 to open the 3 game series.
Notes:
* Kevin Youkilils is trying to repeat as the Hark Aaron Award winner.
*According to Baseball Prospectus, the Red Sox have a 41.9% chance to make the playoffs.
* John Tomase of the Boston Herald thinks that the Red Sox need Varitek just to catch Josh Beckett, if nothing else.

Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 64-54
GB: 10
WC: 3rd place, 3 game back of BOS/TEX
Opponent: VS BAL (48-71)
Game Time: 7:08 CT
Pitching Matchup: Jeff Niemann (10-5, 3.86 ERA) VS Chris Tillman (1-0, 4.88 ERA)
Yesterday: Beat the O's in game 1 of the 2 game series 5-4.
Notes:
* Manager Joe Maddon has died his hair jet black.
* Rays prospect Darin Downs is out of intensive care and has been moved to a regular room at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham today. He was hit in the head with a line drive 2 days ago.
*They are offering 50 cent hot dogs at the ballpark tonight!
* According to Jon Heyman, the Rays had offered LeVon Washington $1.1 million, less than they paid Carl Crawford 10 years ago.

AL Central

Detroit Tigers
Record: 63-55
GB: First Place
WC: -
Opponent: VS SEA (61-58)
Game Time: 7:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Justin Verlander (13-6, 3.28 ERA) VS Ian Snell (2-9 , 5.84 ERA)
Yesterday: The Tigers lost game 1 of the 3 game series 5-3.
Notes:
* Brandon Inge has pain in his left knee that he is using an uncommon method to overcome. Read more by clicking here.

* The Tigers have sent pitcher Eddie Bonine to AAA to make room for Aubrey Huff on the 25-man roster. They will try to get by with 11 pitchers until Sept. 1.
* Drew Sharp talked about the $18M option for Ordonez.



Chicago White Sox: Beat the Royals today 4-2 in the only big league day game.

AL West

LAA Angels
Record: 72-45
GB: First Place
WC: -
Opponent: @ CLE (51-67)
Game Time: 7:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Jered Weaver (12-4, 4.12 ERA) VS Jeremy Sowers (4-8, 4.88 ERA)
Yesterday: Angels won 5-4 in game 1 of the 3 game series.
Notes:
* 8 of the 9 starter in the Angels lineup tonight are hitting .300 or better. Wow.
* Torii Hunter posted on his MLB log yesterday.
* The Angles have won 8 of their last 10.

Texas Rangers
Record: 67-51
GB: 5.5
WC: Tied for first with Boston
Opponant: VS MIN
Game Time: 8:05 ET
Pitching Matchup: Baker (10-7, 4.54 ERA) VS Millwood (9-7, 3.31 ERA)
Yesterday: Rangers lost 9-6 to even the 4 game series at 1 win a piece.
Notes:
* Newly acquired Pudge Rodrizez will make is expected to make his re-debut with the Rangers tonight.
* Today Willie Eyre was called up from AAA Oklahoma City to take Eddie Guardado's, who was placed on the 15-day DL, roster spot.
*Pudge is happy to be back in Texas so he has a chance to win.

Tonight I experienced some technical difficulties and was unable to post the NL, but starting tomorrow we will cover the contending teams in both leagues.