First Pitch 10/2: Final Weekend Edition

With the final weekend of the regular season upon us, let’s setup the weekend with the final regular season edition of FCP First Pitch.

Do They Go For It?

The Colorado Rockies have clinched the Wild Card in one of the greatest comebacks in Baseball history. Now, they have a decision to make: do they go for the division title? They head to Los Angeles for a three game series just two games behind the Dodgers for the Western Division title. The probable answer is no; they will not make an all out effort to win the division title considering that the penalty for winning the Wild Card is, well, nothing at all. The true Baseball fan would love to see it, but the Jim Tracy does have to balance out winning a division and having his team set to play next week. With Rockies fans chanting “Beat L.A.” after last night’s clincher, the Rockies played the part of wanting to finish a comeback that saw them 15 games behind earlier in the season. The best guess is that the games will be close, but both teams will rest some veterans, at least for a game, knowing that something bigger is waiting. Until there is a penalty for being the Wild Card team, there really isn’t a good enough reason to go for it.

Central Drama

With yesterday’s win, the Twins managed to stave off elimination for another day. They head home for a weekend series against the Royals while the Tigers host the Chicago White Sox. The happiest team in all of this? The New York Yankees. The Yankees have to privately be wishing for the Jake Peavy to dominate the Tigers tonight and for Freddy Garcia to turn back the clock a few seasons and beat them tomorrow. That would force Detroit Manager Jim Leyland to start Justin Verlander on Sunday to just qualify for the playoffs. In truth, the Yankees probably don’t care who they face, but facing Verlander in game two or three is much better than game one. For the Twins, they simply must sweep the Royals and hope for the best. But, there is just one problem.

Zack Greinke

That aforementioned Twins’ problem is Zack Greinke who will take his final turn on Saturday. Greinke, the favorite to win the Cy Young, will look to cement his case as the Cy Young Award winner in the voter’s eyes. He shouldn’t have to, but the reality is that some writers will want to see Greinke perform under some tense conditions and win his 17^th game. He should have the award locked up already, but a poor outing and a Felix Hernandez strong outing could make for an interesting vote.

Lester Ok

Last weekend, Red Sox Nation held its collective breath when Jon Lester was hit in the knee with a line drive by the Yankees’ Melky Cabrera. Evidently, Lester is fine as the southpaw threw 6.1 shutout innings while striking out seven and walking one to clinch the Wild Card for the Boston Red Sox. Lester finishes the season with a 15-8 record, a 3.41 ERA, and 225 strikeouts in 203.1 innings. If not for the 4-5, 5.63 ERA start in April and May, Lester would be in the Cy Young Award conversation. Since May, he has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. If anyone is discounting the Red Sox in the playoffs, they would be foolish.

Junior

He hasn’t said anything publicly, but there is a real chance that this is the final weekend in Ken Griffey Jr.’s Hall of Fame career. Two words: enjoy it while you can. Ok, that was five, but you get the idea. Griffey, a true legend, could still be a part-time player next season, but he will have to decide if that’s what he wants to be. While the pennant races are mostly decided, the Baseball world should turn its attention to Junior for possibly one last time.

Popularity: 1% [?]