With just two days left in the season, everyone in the National League is still in the hunt for the best record. And since all teams have an equal number of games left, it is a little easier to see who might end up where. But since all four playoff teams are so close to one another, there is almost any scenario still possible. If the playoffs started today, the Phillies would host the Rockies and the Dodgers would host the Cardinals. If all three current division leaders win out, this will be the outcome. But a lot can and will change between now and Sunday night.
Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the best record in the National League. They are also most likely the weakest team in the playoffs right now. The Dodgers hold a one game lead over the Phillies for the best record and a one game lead over the Rockies for the NL West title, which is still to be determined. In the span of the next two days, the Dodgers could either win the division, thus ensuring a home series, or they could lose the division and end up being the road team as the wild card.
If the Dodgers do win the NL West (and they only need one win to do so), they will effectively guarantee that the Phillies host the wild card Rockies. The Phillies would have one of the top two records in the National League and either way would catch their 2007 playoff opponent. The only way this would not play out this way is if the Phillies lose two games and the Cardinals win two games. In that case, the Phillies would then be the visiting team to the Dodgers, who would have the best record in the National League. That seems highly unlikely at this point.
The final scenario would have the Phillies winning their final two games and the Dodgers losing their last two games. This would crown the Rockies as the NL West champions and see the Phillies hosting their 2008 NLCS opponent, the Dodgers. If all that happens, the Rockies would then host the Cardinals, having a superior record to them, regardless of what the Cardinals do in their final two games. The dynamic of having the two playoff teams in a series against each other this weekend makes for an interesting finale, but also limits some of the possible combinations.
Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the best record in the National League. They are also most likely the weakest team in the playoffs right now. The Dodgers hold a one game lead over the Phillies for the best record and a one game lead over the Rockies for the NL West title, which is still to be determined. In the span of the next two days, the Dodgers could either win the division, thus ensuring a home series, or they could lose the division and end up being the road team as the wild card.
If the Dodgers do win the NL West (and they only need one win to do so), they will effectively guarantee that the Phillies host the wild card Rockies. The Phillies would have one of the top two records in the National League and either way would catch their 2007 playoff opponent. The only way this would not play out this way is if the Phillies lose two games and the Cardinals win two games. In that case, the Phillies would then be the visiting team to the Dodgers, who would have the best record in the National League. That seems highly unlikely at this point.
The final scenario would have the Phillies winning their final two games and the Dodgers losing their last two games. This would crown the Rockies as the NL West champions and see the Phillies hosting their 2008 NLCS opponent, the Dodgers. If all that happens, the Rockies would then host the Cardinals, having a superior record to them, regardless of what the Cardinals do in their final two games. The dynamic of having the two playoff teams in a series against each other this weekend makes for an interesting finale, but also limits some of the possible combinations.
Here are some basic rules of thumb to keep in mind when watching this weekend's games:
1. The Dodgers win the NL West with one more win (2 left)
2. The Rockies win the NL West with two more wins (2 left)
3. If the Dodgers win out, they will have the best record in the NL
4. The Phillies cannot play the Cardinals in round 1 of the playoffs
5. If the Phillies win out, they clinch home-field advantage in round 1
The playoff picture will become a whole lot clearer after today's games and they will obviously be settled after tomorrow's action. There are no circumstances in which there can be a one game playoff in the National League. Thus, by Sunday evening, we will know for sure who and where the Phillies are playing. Once the playoffs are set, the Phillies can begin preparing for their opponent. But when it all comes down to it, the Phillies will all say the same thing: it doesn't matter who we play. Let's win!
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