The Weekend's Over, What Have We Learned?

Besides the fact that Tom Brady and Randy Moss look like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, and besides the fact it appears Norv Turner has ruined yet another team, we learned quite a bit about baseball's nearly-over regular season.

First, after picking up his 20th Friday night, Josh Beckett probably locked up the Cy Young award, and also guaranteed the Sox a playoff appearance. They went 2-1 this weekend, as did New York, meaning they just might have righted the ship in time. As for Beckett, he'll likely be the majors' only 20-game winner. The fact that he's on a big-market team, could win 21, and his secondary numbers are good, spells trouble for the guy who deserves this award more- C.C. Sabathia.

Second, speaking of the Yankees, it's looking more and more likely that A-Rod will, in fact, make it to 150 RBI, meaning he's got a good chance at becoming the first ever "50-150-20" or "50-150-25" player. He has 4 RBI in the first 3 games of the series against the Jays, and now needs just 4 RBI and 1 steal in his last 7 to get there. There are also reports (although his agent denies them) that A-Rod will join the Cubs as a player/part owner next year. If he does go to the south side, let the record show, I called it back in February.

Third, not that it's any surprise, but Cleveland and LA also clinched this weekend. That's all. Ho hum. Right now Cleveland has a 0.5 game lead for best record in the AL and interestingly, no team will win 100 games this season (AL or NL). This happened last year too, so it's the first time we've seen back-to-back-no-100-game-winners since '91, '92.

In the NL, it looks like the Brew crew's days as playoff contenders are coming to a close. After losing 3 of 4 to Atlanta, they're 3.5 back now and taking on water. This also may cost Prince Fielder the MVP award. The Phillies couldn't make up any ground on the Mets, but they have pulled to within a half game of the Padres for the Wild Card. They did this, despite the fact that Ryan Howard needs just one more strikeout to set a new record of 196 in a season. It's funny that when you hit 40+ and drive in 120+, people don't seem to care.

And lastly, the Colorado Rockies, still remarkably alive in the Wild Card chase at 1.5 back, have set a new franchise record for wins with 84 (remarkably considering they've been to the playoffs once before). Wouldn't it be something if they crept in the back door after all the attention on the Mets, Phils, and Pads?