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***THE AMERICAN LEAGUE***
In spite of all the talk, I think Girardi is going to rest his players and use his starters in work-out mode (two-three innings) only, for the last three games. In a press conference, Girardi's only answer to every question was, "We'll see." We'll see what? The Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees play the Red Sox? It would be nice to think that Girardi doesn't want to reveal his plans because he doesn't want to have the NY press tell him he's wrong ahead of time, but in reality, I don't think Joe has any idea what he's doing. Doesn't matter; I'll be sleepwalking through these last three games, anyway. So will Girardi.
Tampa, I believe, is going all out to win the division. That's if going 5-5 in their last ten games means going all out.

In their last ten games, the four American League playoff teams have a record of 18-22. That translates to a .450 pct. Over 162 games, it would mean they have the same record as the Chicago Cubs, currently in 5th place in the NL Central, 16 games back. Oh yeah, they're ready.

***THE NATIONAL LEAGUE***
Philly, Cincy and San Fran have it locked up, while Atlanta and the Padres battle to be the team knocked out of the playoffs by Philadelphia. Vod is right; a Philly-Cinci World Series could be on the horizon.

***THE YANKS HAVE A MIRACLE WORKER***
On a lark, Joe Girardi took some batting practice swings the other day and promptly blasted one into the stands. Asked about it later, Joe credited a session with batting coach, Kevin Long. "Yeah, he had me bring my hands back and closed my stance a little. I'm definitely ready for pinch-hitting duties if the manager calls on me. ...Oh wait, that's me."
(A thanks to Annie-O for that one)

***FROM TOM BOSWELL, WASHINGTON POST***
After the woeful Rams dominated the Redskins: "Until the Redskins got here, Ram fans were so depressed that when they tailgated, they took turns sitting next to the exhaust pipe."

***JANICE HOUGH, LEFT COAST SPORTS BABE***
On the offensively challenged Giants and Padres meeting this weekend with the NL West on the line: "This could be the first MLB playoff spot ever decided by penalty kicks."

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