Here we go....

Now that Boston has played their game this afternoon, the picture is simplified a bit, since all the contenders have the same number of games left:

Chi 94-62 ----- @Det (3), @ Cle (3)
Bos 92-64 2 GB Tor (3), NYY (3)
Cle 92-64 2 GB TB (3), Chi (3)
NYY 92-64 2 GB @Bal (3), @Bos (3)

4 teams fighting for 3 spots.

Some random notes:
- A great thank you to the O's or showing up over the past week and rolling over dead. Nice. Thanks for the help.
- It really is amazing to see the Yanks here with their patchwork staff. But I don't understand why Small went out of the rotation when Mussina came back. He has been pitching great recently, no?
- Scott Elarton pitches tonight and then is scheduled for Sunday. A bit unsettling, but he has been pitching well as of late.

Because the contenders play each other, the math to a playoff spot is a bit complex.
If the Tribe:
- wins all 6, they win the division.
- wins 5 of 6; they clinch a playoff spot.
- wins 4 of 6; they clinch at least a tie for a playoff spot and will clinch a spot outright if both Bos and NYY lose one game before Fri;
- wins 3 of 6; they get a tie for a spot if EITHER:
a) Bos and NYY both lose once before Fri, OR
b) there is a sweep in the Bos/NYY series.
- wins 2 of 6 or less; let's not think about that.

I just don't foresee a sweep in the Bos/NYY series. It will be a 2-1 split, but I can't tell you who will win 2.

Go Detroit and Toronto and Baltimore (please, for the love of God, show up!)