The NYY clinched th AL East crown last night by completing a double-header sweep of Tampa. Won both games 4-2 and won them both with 8th inning scores that left the Rays with only 3 outs to come back, which they couldn't do. All but killed the Rays chances of the post-season by leaving them tied with the Angels, 2.5 games behind the Bosox, for the wild-card spot. There are only 7 games left for the Rays or Angels to catch up and even though the Bosox are struggling (5-16) in September, I still think the Sox will hang on, IF the can figure out how to beat the O's. The O's, aka The Dream Squashers, have had a big impact on the race for the final playoff spot by winning recent series against Boston (3-1), LAA (2-1), Tampa (2-1), and splitting with the NYY 2-2. Good chance the whole wild-card race will come down to Boston's final 3 games of the season in Baltimore. The Dream Squashers may be last but at least they are still playing hard and cannot be ignored. The Bosox have left themselves a hard road by slumping at this time of year and now have to finish with 3 games in NY and then Baltimore. The starters for the NY series for Boston include Wakefield and Lackey (why is he still starting?), which means it is going to be tough for Boston to win. We shall see. Three teams with the season still hanging in the balance. What a great sport. -- Al