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NL East Race

© Bryan Walker

The AL has become pretty boring lately, with Seattle, New York, and Oakland all-but-clinched, and Cleveland with a sizable lead over Minnesota. So we look to the NL for excitement where the D'Backs have a two game lead over San Francisco and a four game lead over the Dodgers. In the Central, Houston has the league's best record and a 3.5 game lead over St. Louis who has gained a 2.5 game lead in the Wild Card race.

The most interesting race, though, is in the NL East. Atlanta currently has a half-game lead over Philly and 4.5 over the Mets. Although Atlanta still has a lead, anyone keeping up since play resumed knows that the Phillies and the Mets have really stuck it to the Braves. The Phillies took three out of four from Atlanta in Philadelphia, with some great pitching and great performances by Scott Rolen. Last night, the Mets and Mike Piazza had an emotional victory over the Braves to close within 4.5 of the lead.

Its hard to say that the Mets have any real chance of making the playoffs. They are only 4.5 out of first place, but they are 9 out of the Wild Card, so the division race is their only chance. Since their seven game losing streak ended on August 17, the Miracle Mets are 22-5. In light of the tragedy, most fans would enjoy a Mets run to the playoffs, but don't wait for it.

The Mets have five more games against the Braves, but they have no games against the Phillies remaining. The most likely scenario at this point would be that the Mets play spoiler and knock the Braves out of first place, while your Philadelphia Phillies represent the East in the playoffs.

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