The Divisional Series

You may have noticed that the four teams that won the most games this season - two in the AL, two in the NL - have pristine records so far in the post-season. Completely unblemished by any victories. No wins whatsoever.

That situation is unlikely to persist much longer, although Tampa Bay will definitely have to wait until next spring for the next W,  so let's revel in the moment.

If I try to put them in rooting order... oh, this will be desperate work. But I'm a pro, I will try.

8. Houston - Don't really have anything against them but they won it last year.

7. Atlanta - Don't have anything against them either, but they won it the year before.

6. Los Angeles - And they won the year before that. Now it gets complicated.

5. Baltimore - On the one hand, 1983 was a long time ago. On the other hand, if you don't like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, you just don't like baseball. On the other, other hand this is an AL East rival and good things should not be permitted to happen...

4. Arizona - It would be amusing if a team that allowed more runs than they were able to score actually knocked off the mighty Dodgers, and 2001 seems sufficiently far away, I suppose.

3. Minnesota - I'm over the Wild Card Series. I'm over 1991, which was the last time this team won a championship, behind grumpy Jack and roly-poly Kirby.

2. Texas - Marcus Semien deserves a championship as much as anyone active, and the franchise has never - repeat, never - won a title. But I can't, not for them and not for the Cowboys and the Mavericks either. It's a Dallas thing.

1. Philadelphia - Bryce Harper deserves a championship as much as any player still active. And  while 2008 may seem too soon, if only when compared with everyone else, it's long enough.