Ever since Major League Baseball expanded to three divisions in the 1990s, an added element of excitement has resonated throughout the game, because wild card races have given teams in extremely tough divisions a second chance.
The American League wild card has boiled down to a two team race between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners. Seattle looked to be in control until a recent nine game stretch during which the Mariners lost six straight and eight of nine games. However, they have rebounded to win four of their last five.
Boston has relied heavily on the most prolific offense in the American League to stay in the postseason race. As usual it looks as though Boston will be edged out in the AL East, with the wild card being their better chance of making the playoffs.
The Red Sox offense has led the American League in almost every major statistical category including hits, runs, RBI's, batting average and slugging percentage. Unfortunately for Red Sox fans, their bullpen has experienced a few bumps in the road throughout the long season. If their bullpen can turn things around and hold on to close games, the Red Sox could easily find themselves back in the playoffs.
The National League wild card is a completely different story. As of Thursday night there were six teams within a mere three games of first place. The Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins are currently tied atop the NL wild card with identical 75-64 records with less than four weeks remaining in the season.
Florida and Philadelphia will square off in two separate three game series' in late September that will go a long way in deciding the wild card picture. The Marlins travel to Philadelphia Sept. 23-25 after hosting the Phillies Sept. 16-18.
It is also the time of year when pennant races heat up and baseball fans spend countless hours watching contenders battle for those last remaining spots in the postseason. It is a time of year when fans and media become obsessed with numbers and statistics, whether it be magic numbers, games out of the wild card or hits needed to secure the batting title.
Here are a few numbers that are sure to surprise you or catch your eye:
: In just his second season, Los Angles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne has attained the major league baseball record for consecutive saves with 55. The Canadian native has cashed in on 47 save opportunities thus far this year to give him the major league lead in the category as well.
: Two is the magic number for Chicago White Sox ace Esteban Loaiza as he is two victories shy of attaining one of the pinnacles of pitching in baseball, the coveted 20 win plateau. The combination of 20 wins and a playoff berth for the White Sox and Loaiza would have perfect qualifiers for Cy Young Award considerations.
: Milwaukee Brewers First basemen Richie Sexson is one of five Brewers ever to have batted in 100 runs in their first three full seasons with the 'crew. Sexson is in the top ten in the National League this year with 102 runs batted in so far.
: The number of teams within five games of the Wild Card in the National League is eight. Those teams are Philadelphia, Florida, Los Angles, St. Louis, Houston, Chicago, Arizona and Montreal.
: Surprisingly enough, this is the number of Toronto Blue Jays in the top five in the American League for RBIs. First basemen Carlos Delgado is a given, however, it has been the outstanding hitting performance of center fielder Vernon Wells and his 103 RBIs that has helped keep the Blue Jays a respectable team this season.
: The total number of combined home runs and RBIs needed for St. Louis Cardinals' left fielder Albert Pujols to grab the National League Triple Crown. A combination of 4 home runs and 13 RBIs and Pujols will without a doubt be the 2003 National League's MVP.
