⚾️ Braves - Mets doubleheader today determines last 2 wild card spots

[underpants]

Arizona finished 89-73 and the Mets and Braves are both 88-72. If either team sweeps the doubleheader, the Diamondbacks reach the playoffs. But if the twin bill is split, the Mets and Braves advance and Arizona is out because the Diamondbacks lost their season series to both New York and Atlanta.

Arizona can only be the No. 6 seed if it reaches the postseason and would play a division series at NL Central champion Milwaukee.

If the Braves win either game of the doubleheader, they would play a division series at San Diego.

If the Mets sweep the doubleheader, they become the No. 5 seed and play at San Diego. If they split and are the No. 6 seed, they go back to Milwaukee to face the Brewers.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Does this create the incentive to split the doubleheader?

The team that wins the first game could sleep through the second?

Playoff rules create some anomalies. I recall NY Rangers in the 70s needing goals to make the playoffs in the final game. Didn't matter if they won or lost, just that they scored more goals. So they played with 6 forwards to score more and didn't care if their empty net was filled, which it was.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/sports/hockey/rangers-win-in-1970-left-canada-out-of-nhl-playoffs.html

One search leads to another and more facts. This is kind of interesting:

Cost of Living 1970

How Much things cost in 1970
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 5.84%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 838
Average Cost of new house $23,450.00
Average Income per year $9,400.00
Average Monthly Rent $140.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 36 cents
Shaefer Pen $9.95
United States postage Stamp 6 cents
Sports Illustrated 15 cents
Mans Westclox Watch $18.00
AMC Gremlin $1879
Head and Shoulder Shampoo 79 Cents IMAGINE HOW MUCH SHAMPOO LUNDQVIST COULD BUY IN 1970!
Car 8 Track Stereo Tape Player $38.99
Chair La-z-Boy Rocker Recliner $188.00
Mens Leather Shoes $6.99
Back To College Typewriter $28.88
Barbie Doll $4.77 IS IT ME, OR DOES THIS SEEM LIKE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY FOR A DOLL IN 1970?
25? Cinema Screen Color TV $739.99 THIS WOWED ME. YOU CAN GET ONE TODAY FOR $20 AT WALMART!

https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/10171970/

[True Dough]

2. There's a lot at stake!

Just judging by the starting pitchers, I like Atlanta's combo of Schwellenbach and Sale better than New York's Megill and Severino.

In terms of injuries, the Braves' roster has taken the far bigger hits. 3B Austin Riley is gone for the season with an injured hand. Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has missed much of the season with a torn ACL and won't be back until next season. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider has also been out most of this season due to an elbow ligament. And reliever A.J. Minter has undergone hip surgery.

The Mets are relatively healthy. They are without pitcher Kodai Senga, who likely would have factored into this series had he been ready to go.

[underpants]

3. Acua Jr had a season last year to rival Ohtani's season

For all the talk of Ohtani, Judge, and Lindor’s (pitch around him today) seasons this year I’ve heard little reference to Acuna’s year last season

.337
45 HRs
73 stolen bases

Losing Acuña and Strider alone but add in Riley and Snitker has done a helluva job. They’ve had some slides but he got them to at least here.

[True Dough]

4. Mets win Game 1 by a score of 8-7

And now Chris Sale scratched as the starter for Game 2. Grant Holmes takes the hill instead. Not good for the Braves!

[underpants]

5. Didn't I tell them to pitch around Lindor?

Wins the damn game in the top of the 9th.

2 for 5 with 3 RBI. 🙄

[True Dough]

6. underpants for manager!

Can they get you there in time before Game 2 is over?

[underpants]

7. (Spits over dugout railing) Good job Holmes. Keep it up.

See that? THATs managing!

[True Dough]

8. You're a regular

Sparky Anderson!

[underpants]

9. Holmes has some serious Kenny Powers energy.

[True Dough]

10. He's doing better than I figured he would

All the more (Kenny) Powers to him!

[underpants]

11. YES!!!!!!