We've been witnessing another riveting Bunt For October, during which many brutal sacrifices are required as Major League Baseball teams chug toward the finish line.
These include the Milwaukee Brewers bouncing their manager as the drastic tactic in a bid to survive the National League wild-card derby. The immediate dividend was the first record-staining defeat sustained by CC Sabathia since the hulking southpaw was acquired from the Cleveland Indians.MLB roundup
Friday's action
- Cards rock Cubs' Zambrano
- Marlins ease past Phillies
- Reds rout struggling Brewers
- Rays put Twins away early
- Gardner helps Yanks top O's
- Astros snap long losing streak
- Indians rally late, beat Tigers
- BoSox keep pace in AL East
- Rox hang on to down D-backs
- ChiSox extend Central lead
- Mets rally to take back East lead
- Halos outlast Rangers in shootout
- A's blank hapless Mariners
- Padres get past Nats in 14
- Giants pound Dodgers in L.A.
More on MLB:
- O'Connor: This choke is different
- Ringolsby: Santo should be in Hall
- Perry: Chaotic finish looms
- Perry: Why have D-backs regressed?
Photo gallery:
- PHOTOS: September in full swing
- PHOTOS: Zambrano fires no-no
Family Friendly Ballpark Guide:
See what makes each ballpark special, inside and out, by touring the T-Mobile Family Ballpark Guide.
Milestone tracker:
Follow Randy Johnson's quest for 300 wins and Gary Sheffield's chase for 500 HR in the AT&T Milestone Tracker.
One sacrifice that failed to arrive in the nick of time was made by the New York Yankees, whose home-stretch stagger included the shocking decision to validate the existence of Carl Pavano.
Unlike the Yankees, several teams have at least one reason to remain optimistic. What follows is a look at what lies ahead for each of these teams and an attempt to identify which players could seize significant closing roles.
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers: At post time, Joe Torre's first Dodger edition has a 3 1/2-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB's most modest division.Do the Dodgers, who've won 14 of their last 17 games, have what it takes to fully collapse with 10 games to play? You bet they do. Please recall that even with Manny being Babe Ruth, L.A. managed to lose eight games in a row last month. They also found a way to cough up 15 runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a game started by the usually reliable Chad Billingsley.
After one more date in Pittsburgh, the Dodgers finish with three games at home with the San Francisco Giants, three at home with the San Diego Padres and three hayrides in San Francisco. Even though the Giants and Padres have teamed up to lose 179 games this season, history demands that we consider the real possibility of a Dodger calamity.
The key player in their struggle to win the West is recently absent second baseman Jeff Kent, who is to a big-league clubhouse as the Ebola virus is to the CDC.
Arizona Diamondbacks: After impressively going to their throats with both hands, the D-backs have rallied for three consecutive victories. Unfortunately, full compliance from the Dodgers may not be enough.After tangling with the Giants and Cy Young candidate Tim Lincecum on Thursday, the D-backs have three games in Colorado and four more against the hard-hittin' Cardinals in St. Louis. Arizona closes with three games vs. the Rockies at Chase Field.
The key player in their run may be shortstop Stephen Drew, who often is the last player capable of tackling shaky closer Brandon Lyon as he strolls from the bullpen to the mound.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs currently are sitting on an eight-game lead that should be sufficient to accommodate the results of a tough closing schedule.After one more at home with the Brewers, the Cubbies have three at Wrigley with the Cardinals, four against the Mets in New York, three in Milwaukee and another vs. the Astros in Houston.
With Carlos Zambrano back in mid-intimidator form, the Cubs may feel compelled to throw a protective bubble around Rich Harden.
Milwaukee Brewers: Now that they're 1-1 in the Dale Sveum Era, the Brewers check in just one-half game behind the New York Mets in the wild-card party.While closing with the Cincinnati Reds, Pirates and Cubs, it might be nice if that "cutting feeling" in the elbow of No. 2 starter Ben Sheets is nothing more than a sympathy pain for Ned Yost.
The key employee in this run could be GM Doug Melvin, who may have to explain why his farm system has a disturbingly small number of quality arms.
Houston Astros: They're not officially deceased, but things might seem considerably better if Bud "Let's Put the Cubs in Milwaukee" Selig had a reasonable sense of geography.NL East
Philadelphia Phillies: A six-game winning streak has escorted the Phils to a half-game bulge over the Mets. The closing stretch offers three games in Florida and a six-game homestand with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals in Philly.That's not bad.
An important player in this regular-season benediction is left fielder Pat Burrell, who must remain viable to prevent teams from pitching around incendiary slugger Ryan Howard.
New York Mets: With their division and wild-card hopes hanging by those half-game threads, the Mets' closing schedule features the Braves (road) and a homestand that co-stars the Cubs and Marlins.With Fernando Tatis as the latest Met to provoke a tire rotation on the team gurney, the Mets are leaning on a left field by committee. The crew is made up of Nick Evans, the ubiquitous Endy Chavez and Daniel Murphy.
The key employee is the team marketing director, who must avoid rolling out a "Throwback Night" with a tribute to late September of 2007.
AL East
Tampa Bay Rays: In their mighty effort to avoid a playoff-opening series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Rays don't exactly have a closing cakewalk.For starters, the Minnesota Twins will continue to fight for their lives with four in St. Pete; the Rays end with a seven-game road trip to Baltimore and Detroit. Their magic number is 10, which — based on franchise history — probably seems more like 100.
It might be easier if the ball succeeds in its quest to find the bat of first baseman Carlos Pena, who has just eight hits and six RBIs in the last 10 games.
Boston Red Sox: Although we can presume they aren't afraid of the Angels, the defending champs probably would prefer to avoid them until the ALCS. To do so, they'll need a strong finish with three at Toronto and a seven-game homestand that includes four with Cleveland and three with the Yankees.Ace right-hander Josh Beckett is looking nasty at the right time, but shortstop Dustin Pedroia has gone from scalding to just two RBIs in Boston's last 10 games.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox: That 2 1/2-game lead must hold up against a closing schedule that features three games in Minnesota next week. That series is preceded by three games in Kansas City and followed by a homestand with Cleveland.If Ozzie Guillen can avoid declaring that "Fargo" was the greatest, most true-to-life tale in movie history, the Sox should be fine.
Minnesota Twins: The Twins' last three games are at home vs. the humble Kansas City Royals. Ron Gardenhire's club could be in good shape if it survives a gauntlet thrown by the Rays and White Sox.Former MVP Justin Morneau has driven in 15 runs and hit .326 over the last 10 games. He may have to be even better.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Having locked up the division before John McCain secured the GOP nomination, the Angels can cruise into October.They'll maintain enough focus to keep the home-field advantage, and already securing the single-season saves record may prevent Francisco Rodriguez from severely injuring himself during the violent gymnastics that accompany his game-ending celebrations.
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