Wide World of Women

The streak was great for MLB.

Rockies 6, Padres 1

Padres are eliminated from playoff contention.

Indians 8, Royals 4
Blue Jays 7, Twins 2

Indians clinch AL Central for the second straight year.

Cubs 4, Cardinals 1
Reds 2, Pirates 1
Rockies 16, Padres 0

Pirates are eliminated from playoff contention.

Astros 7, Mariners 1

Astros clinch AL West.

Mets 5, Braves 1

Braves are eliminated from playoff contention.

Red Sox 9, Orioles 0
Indians 5, Angels 3

Red Sox clinch playoff spot.

And after Colorado ended up being swept in San Francisco, the Milwaukee Brewers couldn't buy a break losing in Pittsburgh. The Rockies still maintain a one-game lead over the Brew Crew for that second wild card spot.

But the Showdown Series against the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs starts on Thursday night at Milwaukee's Miller Park. Will Jake Arietta regain his former Cy Young winning form, or are the Brewers for real in this highly competitive National League Central race?

Honestly, I'm hoping for Game 163. Either between the Twins and Angels or Rockies/Brewers.

Yankees can clinch tonight! A win and losses from the Angels and Rangers puts us in!

What a crushing loss for the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night. With a 1-2 count and 2 out on Javier Baez, he poked a solid single to right to tie the game. And Wade Davis was simply lights out, getting the final 2 outs in the ninth with the bases loaded.

Kris Bryant's monster shot in the 10th proved to be the difference.
Firecracker John Lackey will do the pitching tonight, but with the Brewers mostly using second tier guys in their bullpen--they blew a golden opportunity to stay afloat in the wild card race.

The Cubs magic number to clinch the National League Central division stands at 6.

Blue Jays 8, Yankees 1
Astros 3, Angels 0
Athletics 4, Rangers 1

Yankees can clinch a playoff spot tomorrow with a win or losses from LAA and TEX.

Twins 7, Tigers 3

Athletics are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Rockies 4, Padres 1

Marlins are eliminated from playoff contention.

Dodgers 4, Giants 2

Dodgers clinch NL West for the fifth straight year.

The Chicago Cubs again found another way to win a close game Friday at Miller Park.
This time around, it was little used infielder Tommy LaStella who was called upon by Manager Joe Maddon with the bases loaded and 1 out in the top of the 10th inning.

With the score tied at 4, LaStella coaxed a walk to force in what would turn out to be the winning run.

Cubs 5, Brewers 4.

Magic number for the Cubs to clinch the National League Central division is at 5, since the St. Louis Cardinals have leapfrogged past the Brewers into second place--still 5 games behind in the division.
But the second wild card spot is still up for grabs.

My DBacks magic number is 2 after tonight's slugfest against Florida

Yankees win 5-1 and are in the postseason!!! Even better, the Jays are officially eliminated!

Twins 10, Tigers 4
Rays 9, Orioles 6

Orioles are eliminated from playoff contention.

Magic number is 1 for AZ

Cubs 5, Brewers 0
Pirates 4, Cardinals 1

Diamondbacks clinch playoff spot.

Twins 10, Tigers 4
Indians 4, Mariners 2

Mariners are eliminated from playoff contention; have not reached the postseason since 2001 (longest current drought in MLB)

Diamondbacks 3, Marlins 2

Diamondbacks clinch home field in NL Wild Card Game.

Cubs 10, Cardinals 2

Cardinals are eliminated from the NL Central race; Cubs can clinch the Central tomorrow with a win or a Brewers loss.

Yankees 4, Rays 1

Yankees clinch (at least) home field in AL Wild Card Game. Rays are eliminated from playoff contention.

Twins 8, Indians 6

Rangers and Royals are eliminated from playoff contention.

Dodgers 9, Padres 2

Dodgers clinch home field throughout the National League.

Cubs 5, Cardinals 1

Cubs clinch NL Central.

The way the Cubs fought tooth and nail most of the year, after struggling during most of the first half--it is testament to the team, Manager Joe Maddon, GM Jed Hoyer, and President Theo Epstein for getting the right players to mesh and come up big when the chips are down.

Looking ahead to the playoffs in Washington, that should be a fun series. We will know early next week about the pitching rotation: between Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arietta, and Jose Quintana.

But after tonight's division clincher in Saint Louis, it is probably the last we will ever see of John Lackey. What a way to go out on top .

Chicago White Sox 6, Angels 4 in 10 heart pounding innings at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Nicky Delmonico's home run to right field with one man on in the 10th sends the Minnesota Twins to New York in the American League Wild Card Playoff (aka 'The Lightning Round').

Minnesota becomes the first team in baseball history (even before divisional play started in 1969) to have them lose over 100 games the previous season and reach the postseason the following year.
Quite an accomplishment for Twins Manager and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. They are going to be a tough out in the Bronx next Tuesday night.

It all comes down to Colorado or Milwaukee for the second Wild Card berth, and the right to go to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks next Wednesday.
What a crazy night, but fun if you are a Chicago baseball fan.