Will Atlanta Hang On To NL Wildcard Lead Or Will St. Louis Catch Them

Monday evening St. Louis had a chance to go into the final two games of the regular season tied for the NL Wildcard lead with Atlanta, after the Braves lost to Philadelphia. The Cardinals lost to the last place Astros in extra innings. As Tuesday night begins Atlanta holds a slim one game lead over St. Louis. Obviously it's a must win game for both teams. Atlanta will look to win and take care of their own business, if they can win Tuesday and Wednesday, they'll assure themselves a postseason appearance. However if they lose once or twice, they leave the door open for St. Louis. The Cardinals need to win both remaining games if they look to play in October.

AL NL Wildcard Races Heat Up Tampa Leads The Charge

There are two days remaining in the 2011 Major League Baseball regular season. In the American League, AL East rivals Tampa Bay and Boston are tied for the Wildcard lead. Boston has officially blown a lead after their loss in Baltimore on Monday to the Orioles. The last place Orioles looking to play spoiler. Meanwhile the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the AL East champion Yankees to pull even in the Wildcard standings. Tampa has everything to gain and nothing to lose, meanwhile Boston with their off season moves have everything to lose and little to gain. They were supposed to make the postseason some way shape or form. Could you imagine the madness in Red Sox nation, if Boston fails to make the playoffs. Tampa is showing the same grit with their in expensive roster, that they showed in 2008 when they won the AL East and AL Pennant. Tampa then fell to Philadelphia in 5 games during the Fall Classic. It'll be an interesting final two days, be prepared for a possible one game playoff, you never know.

Riveria All Times Save Leader & Yankees Win Divison Title, What A Week

Move over Trevor Hoffman, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has become the all time saves leader of Major League Baseball. The future hall of famer has 5 World Series title, now is number one in the saves department. It was a special scene this past week as Rivera got to set the mark in front of home fans in the Bronx. Earlier in the season Derek Jeter was able to collect 3,000 hits at the New Yankee Stadium. As this week moved on, the Yankees once again will be heading to postseason play, as they won the AL East yet again. New York will be looking for their 28th championship overall and 2nd World Series title in the last 3 years.

Brewers, Diamondbacks, Rangers Clinch Division Titles

Prince Fielder as help led the Milwaukee Brewers into the postseason by clinching the NL Central division title, Kirk Gibson may have come one step closer to winning NL Manager Of The Year as he has led Arizona to the NL West division title. Meanwhile, Josh Hamilton has help led the Texas Rangers to the AL West division title. Milwaukee plays well at home and will be dangerous in the postseason, especially in their building. The Brewers have solid pitching to go with an explosive offense. Who knows what to expect from the young Diamondbacks, however they have nothing to lose and everything to gain in October. While Texas the defending AL Champions, will look to get back to the Fall Classic after losing in five games last year to the Giants.

NL East Champion Phillies Struggling As Postseason Nears

Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels have carried the Philadelphia Phillies to their 5Th consecutive NL East division title, when healthy Roy Oswalt has helped to. Manager Charlie Manuel has seen is team lose 7 straight games, after dropping game one of a doubleheader at the New York Mets. Starting pitching isn't the issue, it's been offense all season, consistent offense that is. Philadelphia didn't lose to San Francisco last season due to starting pitching, the Giants won the series and eventually World Series due to timely hitting. Most fans and media in Philadelphia, believe the Phillies can just turn it on, once the playoffs begin next weekend. Winning the NLDS or NLCS isn't the goal, becoming World Series champions is the goal. Rollins and Victorino will need to set the table and get on base to start games. Utley, Howard, Pence and Ibanez will be responsible for driving in runs. If that formula doesn't happen, even with excellent starting pitching, the Phillies won't win the World Series. Offense isn't something a team can just turn on and off. My number for the Phillies entering the postseason is 4, meaning the team has a great chance of winning if they average 4 runs per game in the postseason. In order to do that, they'll need to score with runners in scoring position, especially with less then two outs, while getting some timely two out hits. If they are unable to produce, the pressure will mount on the starting staff. Meaningless in the standings, nevertheless it will mean something to play well in the final five regular season games, from a mental standpoint. Seven days and counting stuck on 98 wins. Seven days and counting the postseason begins.

Detriot & Buffalo Start 2-0

Lions and Bills fans, you have reason to believe ! Your teams have started the 2011 NFL Season 2-0. Experts thought the Lions could possibly sneak into the NFC Playoffs this season, not to many experts looked at Buffalo as a postseason team. Both squads are young and hungry, basically they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They are led by quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Ryan Fitzpatrick respectively. Both teams will face divisional test during week 3 as the Lions head to Minnesota to take on the 0-2 Vikings, while the Bills will welcome and play host to the Tom Brady led New New England Patriots. The Bills won a week two come from behind thriller at home against Oakland. While the Lions smoked Kansas City at home. Keep an eye on both teams all season long, it'll be great to see winning football back in those pair of cities, if these teams can continue to produce on the field.

Gonzalez Pair Of TD's Lead The Way, Falcons KO Vick, Defeat Philadelphia

Atlanta came into the Georgia Dome, during week two looking for a win versus Philadelphia to avoid an 0-2 start to the season. Meanwhile, the Eagles wanted to return home 2-0 to open the season with a pair or road dome games. Sunday Night Football, turned into a knock down (literally), drag out, shootout. It was a back & fourth slugfest by two of the NFC's better teams. Atlanta prevailed over Philadelphia 35-31 as both teams head into week 3 with 1-1 records. Tony Gonzalez the future hall of famer, caught 7 passes for 2 touchdowns, he was able to work over the Philadelphia linebackers and safeties. Philadelphia seemed to keep Michael Turner in check until the 4th period, he broke a 61 yard run to set up his game winning touchdown. Philadelphia not only lost a ten point final quarter lead, they loss Michael Vick during the final frame. Vick had a concussion as he banged helmets with his offensive lineman. Jeremy Maclin caught 13 balls for Philadelphia, but dropped a crucial 4th down pass, which basically ended any Eagles comeback. It's possible the two teams could meet once again in the postseason.

Last 2 Super Bowl Champions Put On Opening Night Showcase

Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks, more importantly they led the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints to the last two Super Bowls. New Orleans defeated Indianapolis, while Green Bay defeated Pittsburgh. Both teams would open the 2011 NFL season at Lambeau Field. Fans would not be disappointed. Green Bay defeated New Orleans 42-34, mainly because of the pair of defensive stops the Packers defense made to stop the Saints from scoring. One play included the Saints being stopped on the final play after Green Bay was called for pass interference on the previous play. Rookie running back Mark Ingram was denied on the goal line for a potential tying touchdown and two point conversion as time expired. Earlier in the 2nd half New Orleans choose not to run on 4th down and Brees pass attempt was incomplete. Rodgers was 27 for 35 and 312 yards with 3 touchdowns, while Brees was 32 for 49 and 419 yards with 3 touchdowns. I'm sure fans would love to see these two teams face each other during the postseason.

Brady Opens Monday Night Football In Style

Tom Brady usually performs well under the spotlight during prime time games. During the first Monday Night Football game of the 2011 NFL season, the 3 time Super Bowl champion took it to another, record setting level. During the Patriots 38-24 victory over AFC East division rival Miami Dolphins, Brady threw for 517 yards. He was aided by a 4Th quarter 99 yard touchdown (catch & run) to Wes Welker to put the game away. Chad Henne the other University of Michigan starting quarterback for the Dolphins wasn't bad. Henne threw for 416 yards on 30 for 49 passing and 2 touchdowns. Brady completed 32 of 48 passes and 4 touchdowns. What will both quarterbacks do for an encore heading into week two, we will all see.

Cam Newton Impressive NFL Debut Despite Loss

Shortly after the 2011 NFL Preseason began, the Carolina Panthers named Cam Newton their opening day starter vs. Arizona. Everyone knows Newton during his one season at Auburn won the Heisman Trophy & led the Tigers to the National Championship. All those individual and team accomplishments, came in spite of Newton making off the field news, mainly with his father. Many people wanted to know did Cam's dad take money from universities. Nevertheless his son became the first overall selection during the 2011 NFL Draft. Newton struggled in Indianapolis during the NFL Combine, however after Week 1 performance, you would never know. Carolina would go on to lose to Arizona 28-21, at University of Phoenix Stadium. That's the same venue Cam became a champion in January. Newton opened his NFL career going 24 for 37, 422 yards (rookie record) and 2 touchdowns. He impressed experts with his leadership in the huddle and poise in the pocket. He didn't operate from a pro style offense while at Auburn. This performance should help jump start his career, even though their will be rookie quarterback growing pains week to week.