Good morning all! From here on in, I'll be providing daily updates on all the pennant races.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| Oakland | 92 | 63 | 7 | Sea 3-9 | Sea, Tex 3, @Sea 3 | __ |
| Boston | 90 | 64 | 8 | Cle 4-13 | @Cle 1, Bal 4, @TB 3 | __ |
| Seattle | 89 | 66 | 7 | Oak 9-3 | @Oak 1, @Ana 3, Oak 3 | 7 |
The Mariners made it two impressive performances in a row in Oakland, and with Boston getting hammered in the late innings, Seattle has renewed hope for a playoff spot. Their patient approach at the plate should help them against Rich Harden, who has great stuff but hasn't quite harnessed it yet. They are slight favourites for the sweep, which would cut the Athletics' division lead to 2 games. The wildcard lead is likely to remain at least 1.5 games, as Pedro takes the mound in Cleveland.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| Florida | 85 | 69 | 8 | Atl 6-5 | @atl 2, phi 3, nym 3 | __ |
| Philadelphia | 85 | 70 | 7 | Cin 0-2 | cin 1, @fla 3, atl 3 | 8 |
| Chicago | 83 | 72 | 7 | Pit 2-8 | @pit 1, @cin 3, pit 3 | 6 |
| Los Angeles | 81 | 72 | 9 | SF 0-6 | sf 1, @sd 4, @sf 4 | 6 |
| Arizona | 81 | 74 | 7 | Mil 10-4 | @mil 1, @col 3, stl 3 | 4 |
The NL wildcard is very nearly a two-team race, with Florida and Philadelphia at 85 wins (the Marlins are a nose in front with one loss fewer). One of those clubs is guaranteed a minimum of 87 wins, since they have an upcoming head-to-head series. The Cubs have their ace on the hill and remain possible Wildcarders if they can't catch the Astros for the Central division lead (the Astros have a tough schedule). The Dodgers seem likely to fold - they've lost 2 at home to the Giants and have to turn it around in a hurry. The D-backs are just about eliminated, only a perfect record here on out and lots of luck can save them.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| Houston | 84 | 70 | 8 | Stl 2-3 | @stl 1, sf 3, mil 4 | __ |
| Chicago | 83 | 72 | 7 | Pit 2-8 | @pit 1, @cin 3, pit 3 | 7 |
| St. Louis | 80 | 76 | 6 | Hou 3-2 | hou 1, @mil 2, @arz 3 | 3 |
Chicago's lacklustre play in Pittsburgh must be a concern. They edged the Pirates 10-9 in the first game of a double bill on Friday before badly losing the next two. If they continue their uneven play in Cincy, the Astros might limp to another Central division title. Saint Louis has a faint hope if they win all their remaining games, but all the Astros need to do to eliminate the Cardinals is win 3 of their remaining 7.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| Minnesota | 86 | 69 | 7 | Det 7-3 | det 1, cle 2, @det 4 | __ |
| Chicago | 81 | 73 | 8 | KC 1-7 | kc 1, nyy 3, @kc 4 | 4 |
The AL Central is a done deal. Minnesota has the easiest remaining schedule and needs to win only 4 out of 7 to take the crown no matter what the White Sox do. The South Siders are up against it: they play the Yankees and Royals. The Twins should take care to set up their rotation for the ALDS (hint - use the lefties).
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| NY Yankees | 96 | 58 | 8 | TB 7-1 | @tb 1, @cws 3, bal 4 | __ |
| Oakland | 92 | 63 | 7 | Sea 3-9 | sea 1, tex 3, @sea 3 | 4 |
| Team | Wins | Losses | Remaining | Yesterday | Schedule | Elim |
| Atlanta | 96 | 59 | 7 | Fla 5-6 | fla 2, mon 2, @phi 3 | 9 |
| San Francisco | 95 | 58 | 9 | LA 6-0 | @la 1, @hou 3, la 4 | 9 |
It looks like nothing can stop the Yankees from clinching homefield advantage for the playoffs. Oakland is looking in the rearview mirror and the softish schedule for the Yanks should mean another 100+ win season. The Giants and Braves are now in a virtual tie for NL homefield. The Giants are playing better right now, so I'll go with San Fran to nip the Braves for the honour.
| SEA | Gil Meche | at | OAK | Ted Lilly | 4:05 |
| BOS | Pedro Martinez | at | CLE | Cliff Lee | 1:05 |
| HOU | Jeriome Robertson | at | STL | Sterling Hitchcock | 2:10 |
| FLA | Carl Pavano | at | ATL | Greg Maddux | 1:05 |
| CIN | Aaron Harang | at | PHI | Vicente Padilla | 1:35 |
| SF | Kevin Correia | at | LA | Kazuhisa Ishii | 4:10 |
| CHC | Mark Prior | at | PIT | Oliver Perez | 1:35 |
| KC | Darrell May | at | CWS | Jon Garland | 2:05 |
| DET | Gary Knotts | at | MIN | Brad Radke | 2:05 |
| NYY | Roger Clemens | at | TB | Jeremi Gonzalez | 1:15 |
| ARZ | Curt Schilling | at | MIL | Wes Obermueller | 2:05 |
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030921015140999