First to Clinch!

Wow, nothing opens your eyes to how close we are to the end of the regular season like seeing that first playoff spot get locked up. With manager Dusty Baker sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, his Cincinnati Reds beat the Cubs to ensure themselves at least a Wild Card spot. Their ace Johnny Cueto was on the mound, which would have made me excited about five weeks ago when my fantasy team (of which he is a member) was still in contention. But now it's just another W tacked onto an impressive season.

The Reds will likely clinch their division - they need another two wins - leaving the Cardinals as the most likely contenders to battle with the Braves in the Wild Card game. The Dodgers could always pull off an impressive 11th hour comeback, but nothing seems to go right for them lately. In the other divisions, it's looking like the Giants and Nationals have no intention of slowing down for the rest of the pennant race.

In the AL version of the nothing-seems-to-go-right category, the A's just lost another pitcher for the year, despite pulling into a tie with the Orioles for the first Wild Card spot. I think it's only fitting to support the A's and celebrate their unexpected run by checking out this new music video from a very talented A's fan. Nothing is safe for the AL division leaders, as the White Sox, Yankees, and (especially) Rangers need to be constantly looking over their shoulders.

On a personal note, I've been so caught up in the inner workings of the playoff race that I completely forgot that the NFL plays on Thursday these days, and that some key players won't play due to injury. So now I have to hope my Fantasy Football team can subsist on just one RB for this week's matchup...

Oh the trials and tribulations of trying to be a two-sport fan. /sigh