Day 162: what to look forward to

Last year the last day of the regular season was so exciting, widely considered the greatest regular season day in baseball (sports?) history. Twelve months later we are set up for another epic day of sports.

Unlike 2011, the teams are set. All 10 of them. But especially with the Wild Card situation and the division battles, there is lots at stake.

1. Yankees have sole position of the best record in the American League. If they beat the Red Sox, home field advantage for the playoffs is theirs. No Garcia, Nova, Phelps or Hughes for this game; New York is sending their best to the hill, Hiroki Kuroda. And while the Red Sox have had a horrible season and have a crappy lineup, oh how the people in Boston would like the screw the Yankees postseason position.

2. The Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays in a battle of teams that crashed the party last year. If the Yankees lose and Baltimore wins then the teams will be tied and the two teams will play Game #163 in Baltimore. Winner takes the division, loser has to play #164 one game Wild Card playoff game, win or go home style.

3.Rangers vs. Athletics: This is one of the craziest matchups we have seen in a long time. On June 10 the Athletics were 26-35. On June 30 the Rangers were 13 games ahead of the A’s. Payroll = Rangers $120M (#5) vs. Athletics $49M (last). And yet this game decides who gets all the marbles. Tonight will be AJ Griffin in the 101st game of the season started by an A’s rookie pitcher. Veteran but new-to-town Ryan Dempster is starting for the Rangers. Hamilton, Beltre, Napoli, Kinsler, Cruz, Andrus, Young against Coco Crisp, Stephen Drew, Yeonis Cespedes, Jonny Gomes, Josh Reddick, Chris Carter, Donaldson, Moss. Winner wins the division, loser has to play the Wild Card toss-up game.

4. If the Yankees lose, and the Orioles win, we will have a 3-way tie for best record in the American League.

5. Nationals are playing this afternoon. If they win they clinch best record in the NL.

6. If Nats lose and the Reds win, Cincinnati clinches best record in the NL. Pitching for the Reds is Homer Bailey, coming off a no-hitter in his last start.

7. Chase for the Triple Crown: We’re talking about real history here. Miguel Cabrera has finally taken the exclusive lead in home runs and has padded his lead in batting average and RBI so the drama isn’t quite there, but Cabrera (truly the best and most consistent hitter in baseball) has a good chance to be the first winner of the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski 45 years ago. Josh Hamilton can take it away or Edwin Encarnacion with a couple dingers could tie, but Cabrera is in position.

8. Jered Weaver is pitching for his 21st win of the season tonight. If he does that, with a record of 21-4 and an ERA around 2.7, he is a legitimate candidate for Cy Young.