The National League Cy Young Race just got a little clearer

I think it is safe to remove Ubaldo Jimenez from the Cy Young front runner list.

He’s had a terrific year. I’ll go out and say it was the best year a Rockies pitcher ever had. He threw a memorable no hitter, had a mind boggling first half and can still wind up as the first 20 game winner in Rockies history if he can win one more game over the next 2 weeks.

But stats wise, he no longer is keeping pace with Adam Wainwright nor Roy Halladay. And last night, in a game where his team NEEDED him to post a win and keep pace with San Diego, he laid an egg.

Big time aces keep their team in the race.

Brandon Webb’s failures against Los Angeles in 2008 probably cost him a Cy Young Award.

So my hat is tipped to Ubaldo… he had a terrific year.
But he is no longer on the Cadillac board.

Just go Joe… you’ve already quit

Seriously, what is the point for Joe Torre to stick around?
He seems more interested in discussing the Mets managerial position and showing up to Yankee Stadium than having a motivated team take the field in Chavez Ravine.

Don’t believe me that this team is dead from the neck up?

Since August 27th, the Dodgers have lost 17 out of 23 games. They haven’t won a single series since. The closest they came was splitting 4 meaningless games with the Astros.

And I live just a few minutes from Dodger Stadium and sadly watch more Dodger games than I care to admit.

They are lifeless.
They aren’t even phoning in their game. They are leaving it on their outgoing message.

Save for a comeback win last Sunday, they don’t just look like they have made their reservations but they look like they are already on their flights.

I know a lot of Giant fans are upset about how they have rolled over to San Diego (and tonight no doubt the Padres will sweep the Dodgers AGAIN) but actually you have to hand it to the Dodgers… they have been equal opportunity tomato cans.

Since the 26th of August they have lost 2 series to the Rockies… 2 series to the Giants and 2 series to the Padres.

They lie down to EVERYONE!

And since Joe Torre announced he was stepping down and handing the reigns over to Don Mattingly? They are 1-4. Only the come from behind Rockies win saved it from being a big fat 0-5 (and even THEN they got some help from the umps!)

In short, the Dodgers have done the impossible… they made the play on the field more disgraceful than the drama with the McCourt divorce!

Just step down NOW Joe. Maybe playing for Mattingly will give the team a little spark.
Maybe they’ll play a little harder for a week.

Maybe there will be a little intensity.

Maybe Mattingly will learn how to fill out a lineup card and make mound visits.

The Dodgers have 3 more meaningful games left after today… 3 more with the Rockies.
Why not give the NL West a chance and have the Dodgers actually SHOW UP.

Step aside physically Joe. You already have mentally.

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY… September 23, 2010

It’s that time of the year when there is no longer any need for analysis. Games are played and you never know what pitching match up will fall apart.

Just ask Ubaldo Jimenez, who lost his shot at a 20th win and probably took himself out of the Cy Young race by getting clobbered by the Diamondbacks… not exactly a powerhouse.

It’s also a crazy time where one minute the Padres are on the outside looking in and the next they are in line for home field advantage in the Division Series.

Chances are there will be some scrambling tomorrow night… especially as Atlanta saw their Division Title dreams get smashed and now lead the Giants by 1/2 a game for the Wild Card. we might see some one game playoff scenarios at this time tomorrow.

Instead, let’s look at the current match ups.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

NEW YORK YANKEES (AL East Champion)
has home field advantage over
TEXAS RANGERS (AL West Champion)

MINNESOTA TWINS (AL Central Champion)
has home field advantage over
TAMPA BAY RAYS (AL Wild Card)

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (NL East Champion)
has home field advantage over
CINCINNATI REDS (NL Central Champion)

SAN DIEGO PADRES (NL West Champion)
has home field advantage over
ATLANTA BRAVES (NL Wild Card)

The National League should be called “The Phillies and the other three teams.”

We’re going into the last 10 games. Things are ALREADY interesting.