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After a turbulent week of teams changing playoff positions, only one playoff spot can change Saturday and that's the NL wild card.
The White Sox moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Twins in the AL wild card race and the Dodgers opened up a 1 1/2 game in the NL West, so those spots are set.
But in the NL, the Reds (59-57) lead the Padres and Diamondbacks (both 58-57) by a half game in the wild race. Or wild card retreat. Uneasy rests the team with the checkered jersey in the NL.
The relevant action in the National League won't start until later in the afternoon.
4:05 pm PT - Cincinnati at Philadelphia - Elizardo Ramirez (who lost in relief Friday) against Scott Mathieson. Much hilarity will ensue. Philadelphia is just two games behind Cincinnati.
4:05 pm PT - San Diego at Houston - Jake Peavy faces Jason Hirsh, making his first major league start. And the Astros are just 1 1/2 games behind Cincinnati as well.
6:40 pm PT - Florida at Arizona - Scott Olsen against Brandon Webb, who missed his last start.
Kansas City and Cleveland are playing a day-night doubleheader. That should be compelling viewing. If the Royals can sweep, they would have 43 wins, ensuring that the 1962 Mets mark of 120 losses in a 162 game season, would remain safe for another year.
If Oakland can beat Tampa Bay by two runs or more in a 6:05 pm PT game in Oakland (Casey Fossum vs. Joe Blanton), the Athletics will go back to having more runs scored than runs allowed.
^ there, i jinxed it!
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