Brewers clinch NL Central as Cubs slip to Wild Card

ByThis Day in Baseball

An unprecedented two one-game playoffs are played today to determine the winners of the NL Central and NL West division titles. In Wrigley Field, the Brewers crown an outstanding second half by defeating the Cubs, 3 – 1, their 8th straight win. They score twice in the 8th, with a single by unheralded SS Oswaldo Arcia, who goes 4-for-4, starting things off against Justin Wilson, one of six relievers used by Joe Maddon on the day. A double by Domingo Santana followed by Lorenzo Cain’s single drives in the go-ahead run and Ryan Braun adds another insurance run. Josh Hader then pitches the final two inning for the save, giving Milwaukee the best record in the National League.

The Yankees clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2012 and win 10,000th Game

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Yankees clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2012 when the team beats the Red Sox in the Bronx, 4-1. The win, their 10,000th regular-season victory, guarantees a wild-card berth, placing the Bombers in the playoffs for the 52nd time in franchise history. The game was played on a rain-drenched evening at New Yankee Stadium. All four runs come courtesy of the long ball, a two-run shot by Carlos Beltran, and solo drives by Greg Bird and Rob Refsnyder. CC Sabathia gets the win and the Yankees’ bullpen ties a new major league record when Josh Rutledge strikes out against Dellin Betances to end the game, their 589th victim of the season.

Clayton Kershaw becomes the first 20-game winner of the season when the team routs Chicago clinching a playoff spot

ByBaseball

LA’s Clayton Kershaw becomes the first 20-game winner of the season when the team routs Chicago at a windy Wrigley Field, 14-5. The 26 year-old southpaw, who has compiled a 20-3 (.870) record along with an ERA of 1.80 is the first Dodger hurler to reach the 20-win plateau twice since Claude Osteen accomplished the feat in 1969 and 1972.

The A’s cap a historic playoff run with 4-3 win over Rangers

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Athletics crown an improbable playoff run by defeating the Rangers, 4 – 3, securing at least a wild card spot in the American League. They can still win the AL West crown if they defeat the Rangers in their last three games. The Athletics had traded away two All-Star starters during the off-season, then lost their only three experienced starting pitchers – Bartolo Colon, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson – during the season, going with an all-rookie starting rotation during an 8-4 run that clinched the playoff slot.

Tigers clinch AL Central Title on Miguel Cabrera 44th HR

ByThis Day in Baseball

The champagne also flows in Kansas City, MO, where the Tigers defeat the Royals, 6 – 3, to clinch the AL Central title. Miguel Cabrera hits his 44th home run in the game. In deference to their star slugger, who is leading the AL in all three triple crown categories but who has had trouble with alcohol abuse in the past, the Tigers choose to celebrate with an alcohol-free bubbly.

Tampa Bay rallies for a 3-2 victory over Kansas City in 12 innings to take the division by a game.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 2010.00 The Rays, entering the final day of the season tied with the Yankees, win their second AL East crown when their rivals lose to Boston. With the title not in jeopardy, even with a loss due to their overall record against New York this season, Tampa Bay rallies for a 3-2…

Dodgers finally clinch the 2009 National League West title with a 5-0 victory

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 2009.00 Needing only a win or a Colorado loss for the past week, the Dodgers finally clinch the National League West title with a 5-0 victory over the wild-card Rockies. Joe Torre, who will be managing in the postseason for the 14th consecutive season, has won thirteen divisional titles, including ten with…

With a 5-4 win over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, the Cubs clinch their second straight National League Central Division championship. The victory marks the first time the club will appear in consecutive postseasons since the 1906-08 teams played in the World Series.

ByThis Day in Baseball

With a 5-4 win over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, the Cubs clinch their second straight National League Central Division championship. The victory marks the first time the club will appear in consecutive postseasons since the 1906-08 teams played in the World Series.

Rockies end Padres Season and make playoffs for first time in 12 seasons

ByThis Day in Baseball

2007 – The Colorado Rockies defeat the San Diego Padres, 9 – 8, in 13 innings to win the one-game playoff to determine the National League wild card. Matt Holliday scores the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Jamey Carroll, as ace closer Trevor Hoffman blows the 8 – 6 lead which Scott Hairston’s two-run home run in the top of the 13th had provided. The Rockies will take part in the postseason for the first time since 1995. Colorado’s 9-8 comeback victory, their 14th in their last 15 games, ends the season for the Padres, who were one strike away two games ago from clinching a postseason berth.