Clarion Content

The Clarion said last week there was little point in getting excited about the National League playoff races. And while we were correct that it is mediocrity personified, the races are so tight they can't hardly help but be compelling. The Mets in the N.L. East are looking down the barrell of a historic fold down the stretch. The Phils control their playoffs destiny. Answering critics who said they had no pitching at all. In the N.L. Central battle of who will play less poorly the Cubs held on, despite only playing 4 over .500 in September. The Clarion has been delighted to watch the Seligs' Brewers collapse, though we feel for Ned Yost. He can't do it with no starting pitching. In the West the Dodgers have strangely gone away, is it the Grady Little factor? The Padres and Diamondbacks have played well, 8 and 7 games over .500, respectively, since mid-summer. The Rockies have played their rears off to a .603 pace from mid July onward. Their 11 game winning streak was just snapped.

In the American League on the other hand, all the playoff spots have been decided and the match-ups are set too.

The A.L. looks way better on paper, but as the last few years have shown any team can get hot and win it all in baseball's diluted new playoffs.

It is the point in the season where the clutch, big timers are separated from the Mr. April's of baseball. The Clarion wants to single out a few of the tremendous and lousy down the stretch performances we have observed.

In the A.L. as the races were finalized Boston brought up five tool rookie, Jacoby Ellsbury. A Native American, Ellsbury hit in his first 12 games after his recall from Pawtucket. He then hit in about six of his next seven games, he flashed terrific athleticism and speed. They say he has solid baseball acumen. He has shown confidence that he belongs. He is going to be a performer for years. The other rookie who has matched his level of performance for a contender is the Yankees bullpen ace, Joba Chamberlin. He was a starter in the minors and the Yankees have been very careful with his innings and appearances. He has adapted amazingly to the relief role with the Yankees yielding only two earned runs in his first 20 odd innings.

Jeter has heated up and hit the big homer in Boston as the Yankees fought and fought some more to make the playoffs. Andy Pettitt had a huge second half, 10-3. The Red Sox rookie relief sensation, Hideki Okajima has cooled off. He threw for over a 7.00 ERA in the weeks after the ineffective Eric Gagne was acquired from Texas. Now he has a "tired arm" that has melted down and he is being rested for the remainder of the regular season. Boston hopes he can rejuvenate for the playoffs.

Carlos Zambrano has been lousy down the stretch for the Cubs, after signing a big contract extension, including 3-6 with a 5.64 ERA in his last ten before rebounding to win the clincher. Broken down Ben Sheets has been unable again to come back from injury for the Brewers.

The Mets bullpen has come unglued. We were never believers that Billy Wagner would come through in a big spot. The taped together starting rotation has floundered. The Phils bullpen has surprisingly risen to the occasion. Their ace starter, Cole Hammels has been phenomenal.

Nobody ever mentions him, but how about Matt Holliday in Colorado. He is having a very quiet MVP season. If the Rockies and the Brewers, both come up just short of the playoffs, the N.L. MVP race is going to be very interesting. The Clarion favors the heart of the Phillies, shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

A few more last thoughts...

Where'd the Mariners go? Seriously, what happened?

There was a faux Cards run, then a predictable collapse. Why would permissive, clubhouse enabler, Tony LaRussa be a valuable off-season free agent? It says here he stinks. Very little was heard from Detroit down the stretch, perhaps World Series error hangover?

Bye, bye RFK.

Labels: baseball, sports