| MLB Stretch Run: NL Central |
|
At the start of the month the Brewers were 80-56 and a near lock to make the playoffs, winning the NL Central in 16.8 percent of AccuScore simulations. They were projected to win the Wild Card in 77.8 percent of AccuScore simulations. Milwaukee had a five and a half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card race, and were just four and a half games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Fast forward to today and we find the Brewers in panic mode. Milwaukee started the month getting swept by the Mets and has won just three of their fifteen games in September. The worst part of the month has been who the losses have come against. Three came against the Mets, four against the Phillies, and one Tuesday against the Cubs, all direct competitors for the playoffs. The Brewers now find themselves with no shot at the NL Central, and with a 54.9 percent chance of winning the Wild Card. Things have been so bad that the Brewers fired their manager, Ned Yost, right after a four game sweep at the hands of the Phillies. Milwaukee still has a shot to turn things around. Five of their eleven games come against the Cubs, which could allow them to make up some ground in the Central, although at this point winning the division would take a total collapse by the Cubs combined with a complete turnaround by the Brewers. The remaining six games are against the Reds and Pirates which should be easy competition for Milwaukee. Milwaukee will need help from the Cubs in order to make the playoffs. Chicago plays the New York in a four game series next week which could help put some space between the Brewers and Mets in the Wild Card race. The Phillies play their remaining games against Atlanta, Washington, and Florida which could put the Mets out of the NL East picture and strictly in a race with the Brewers. The Houston Astros also have a remote shot at the Wild Card, sitting three games back from the Mets and a 13.3 percent chance of making the playoffs in AccuScore simulations. Houston has gone 9-4 this month, and plays its remaining games against Florida, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Atlanta giving them a relatively easy schedule down the stretch. While the NL Central is pretty much wrapped up, there is still a lot going on in this division. Trackback(0)
Comments (1)
jessica056
said:
|
|||||||||||||||
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
 |
I really think the Phillie's are going to win that wild card spot. The Brewers have a tough road ahead of them, facing the Cubs in the final games of regular season ball. They are tied with the Mets but are behind the Phillies by 1 1/2 games.. I think the Astro's aren't going to make the wild card spot either. Love your blogs Tim!  |
