You may have already seen it, but tempers flared a little bit during last night's Brewers/Cardinals game in St. Louis. Nyger Morgan, after striking out in the ninth against Chris Carpenter, shouted something directed at either Carpenter or someone else (with Morgan, who knows). Albert Pujols took some offense to it and began to run toward Morgan, which resulted in the benches emptying. No worries though, this wasn't a legitimate "brawl," and the only thing that appeared to be hurt were the Cardinals' feelings afterwards.
Let me make one thing clear: I cannot stand the St. Louis Cardinals. I do not care for the fact that they always seem to be the self-appointed, mystical keepers of baseball etiquette, always pissing and moaning about what constitutes playing the game "the right way." Not only that, but you can come up with a laundry list of the things the Cardinals have complained about in the past, from the baseballs being "too slick" at Great American Ballpark to complaining about the mound at Coors Field (a good list of LaRussa's complaints can be found HERE).
However, I'm on the side of the Cardinals on this dispute. Morgan is clearly frustrated after striking out against Carpenter, who pitched a great ballgame last night. He does not need to get angry at Carpenter or the Cardinals just because he struck out during the ninth inning of a close game. I like Nyger Morgan, and I like his alter ego "Tony Plush." He's entertaining, and players with his kind of personality are great for the game. However, his intensity can get the best of him at times, and this was just another case of it here. LaRussa, Carpenter and Pujols even said so after the game.
Hopefully Morgan can keep his intensity going without needlessly screaming at the other team for getting him out. Also, props to Prince Fielder for keeping things from escalating. Here's to wishing the Brewers the best in the postseason.
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With regard to this year's races, it seems as if there is a lack of drama this September. As of this morning, the only real "race" that's left is in the AL West, with the Rangers maintaining a 2.5 game lead over the Angels. Those two teams close out the regular-season with a three-game series in Los Angeles, so if things stay close, that should be a blast to follow.
Unfortunately, this is the first time in the wild-card era that there are a lack of compelling races in September. The Yankees and Red Sox are jousting over the division title and wild card, as the Yankees hold a 2.5 game edge over Boston. Unfortunately, Boston holds a seven-game lead over Tampa Bay in the wild card, with 20 left to play. Barring a monumental collapse by the Red Sox (a la Detroit in 2009 or the Mets in 2007), they will be in the postseason, along with the Yankees.
The Tigers opened up a nine-game lead in the AL Central over the Sox, coming off a sweep of the Indians this week. The Tigers are also riding a six-game winning streak right now, and they are in great shape to get their first division title since 1987 (remember, they were just a Wild Card entry in the 2006 postseason). The only question left for them is if Justin Verlander can become the third pitcher in team history to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same season, joining reliever Willie Hernandez (1984) and 30-game winner Denny McLain (1968).
Barring any collapses, the National League playoff picture appears to be set, with the Phillies opening at home against the Diamondbacks and the Brewers opening at home against the Braves. The only question that remains in the National League race is if Arizona can surpass Milwaukee for the second-best record among the division winners. The Diamondbacks are 2.5 games behind the Brewers right now and if they can pass them, they can have the honor of starting the Division Series at home and manage to avoid the Phillies in the first round.
Speaking of the Diamondbacks, how shocking is their seven-game lead over the Giants right now? If the Diamondbacks can pull this off (all signs point to "yes" at this point), they will capture their fifth division title in their 13 year history. Not only that, but it will be the second time in team history and only the third time in MLB history that a team has made the postseason the year after losing at least 97 games, joining their 1999 squad and the 1991 Braves.
While the races themselves may not be interesting, the playoffs should definitely be a lot of fun once they begin on the 30th.
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I saw this on Lance McAlister's twitter page today and I thought I would share it with you. On this day in 1985, Pete Rose tied Ty Cobb's all-time hits record at Wrigley Field. Here is a great video from WCPO, with the great John Popovich and Dennis Janson providing you with the story:
Also on this day in 1998, Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' single-season home run record. Knowing what we know now, it really is not that significant. However, if you take yourself back to the night it happened, it was a moment to remember. It seemed as if the entire country was transfixed on the home run chase that summer.
That's all for now. See you soon.
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