this is how it works
the magic number is one.
the maxim "every game counts" seems a little bit less probably true for a baseball calendar of 162 contests, as compared to a football slate one tenth the size, and yet (!) situations like today crop up often enough to prove it.
the four teams i mentioned yesterday, all of them giving their all for a win, lost, each of them to a team with nothing but pride to play for.
and so today, if the cardinals win, they clinch their division.
but if they don't win and the pirates do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
and so today, if the tigers win, they clinch their division.
but if they don't win and the royals do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
meanwhile, if the oakland athletics win, they get into the postseason as a wildcard.
but if they don't win and the seattle mariners do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
and one, of the afternoon, is the start time for the tigers and the pirates and the lions and steelers of the nfl as well.
simulcast, indeed.
the maxim "every game counts" seems a little bit less probably true for a baseball calendar of 162 contests, as compared to a football slate one tenth the size, and yet (!) situations like today crop up often enough to prove it.
the four teams i mentioned yesterday, all of them giving their all for a win, lost, each of them to a team with nothing but pride to play for.
and so today, if the cardinals win, they clinch their division.
but if they don't win and the pirates do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
and so today, if the tigers win, they clinch their division.
but if they don't win and the royals do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
meanwhile, if the oakland athletics win, they get into the postseason as a wildcard.
but if they don't win and the seattle mariners do, the teams will finish with the exact same record and play one game against each other to break the tie.
and one, of the afternoon, is the start time for the tigers and the pirates and the lions and steelers of the nfl as well.
simulcast, indeed.