The Final Series Means All the Marbles

In the beginning of 2012 season, no one would    
have believed that the Baltimore Orioles would be tied for first place with the Yankees in the AL East, both with three games remaining. Playoff baseball is on the horizon, and these two match-ups determine the Yanks, O's, and Rays fate. Starting Monday, the Yankees will host the Red Sox for three games at the Stadium and the Orioles will have to travel to Tropicana Field and play the Rays in Tampa.

Although the Red Sox are eliminated from playoff contention, it's obvious they want to attempt to damage the Yank's playoff hopes. Yet, after being swept by this weekend, it is very possible that Bobby Valentine and his Sox squad have officially checked out (God be with us!). Tampa Bay has been eliminated for a division title, but are still very much alive in the AL Wild Card, only two and a half games behind the Yanks and O's. Many scenarios must take place for the Rays to make the postseason, and they have just as much a shot to make the playoffs as anyone else does. Remember the last day of the season last year? Baltimore knocked the Sox out and Evan Longoria hit a laser homer to send his Rays to the playoffs? Two games decided two team's destinies. No team can control your fate. You either show up, or don't show up. For all the Yankee fans out there, keep the magic, and keep the faith!

This will be an incredible last week of the regular season for these AL East teams. Division spots and Wild Card spots are available to any. Who will it be? Here are my picks:

PREDICTIONS:
-Yanks take 2 of 3 from Boston, Baltimore takes 2 of 3 from Tampa.
-Tiebreaker on Thursday in Baltimore between NYY and BAL for the division title.
-Yanks win 8-7 under the wings of Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter

-AL Playoff Teams: East: NYY (95-68), Central: DET (89-73), West: TEX (94-68)
-NL Playoff Teams: East: WAS (98-64), Central: CIN (98-64), West: SF (94-68)
-AL & NL Wild Card Teams: BAL (94-69), LAA (92-70), ATL (95-67), STL (87-75)