It's Magic Number Time!

[The Poet]

Update, but first this word from our sponsor:

It seems T. S. Eliot was no big baseball fan, since obviously it breeds more false hopes than does April. How many teams - well, fans of teams anyway - are thinking today that "Hey, we may not be out of it yet!"

Now back to our regularly scheduled program:

Bronx Zoolanders = 12 : Even the also-rans get up for the Yankees. Yet the most significant effect last night was that the Red Sox helped their foe maintain the lead for best record and home field.

Doctored Detroits = 14 : Lukewarm Twinkies thinking they are just 4 back of tepid Tigers - but that 4 is 5 on the loss side. It is easier to win than make the other lose at a distance.

Riverside Redbirds = 10 : Cubbies have gotten hot, while the Cards are feeling a nip in the air. But 8.5 games in two weeks is asking a lot.

Independence Haulers = 12 : Both the Marlins and Braves have kept pace over last 10 games - however, keeping pace ain't gonna cut it.

Branch Rickities = 12 : What was a race is becoming increasingly rocky for Colorado.

Compton Cherubs = 13 : On-the-road odds catching up with the Angels, and only Ranger ineptitude saving their bacon lately.

Continues.