Sports Thread #1 and #2- MLB Playoff Situation (In a Really Brief, Brief Synopsis)

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

Here's the races that matter, besides the home field stuff that has already been settled with the Cubs and Angels claiming that valuable prize. And the Angels will have home field throughout the entire postseason thanks to the AL winning the All-Star Game this year.

Refreshed From Last Night
AL Central
Twins 87-72
White Sox 86-72

NL East
Phillies 89-70
Mets 89-71

NL Wild Card
Mets 89-71
Brewers 89-71

Important News in regards to the races
-Johan Santana won't pitch on short rest. Case close on that one.

-The Twins face the Royals this weekend, the White Sox face the Indians. The Angels, Red Sox, and the Rays would rather have the Twins in the playoffs than a White Sox that is truly dangerous and knows how to win in the postseason.

-Deja Vu all over again? The Marlins have the chance to spoil the Mets playoff hopes for a second straight year, in the last regular season series (and potentially last series) ever at Shea Stdaium.

Say it ain't so.

Especially when the Phillies play the hapless Nationals and the Brewers play a Cubs team that could be resting it's starters for their attempt to end their epic title drought. Then again, the Cubs may want to prevent their division rival from getting in the post season. And you know, Lou Pinella is certainly thinking about doing that.

-And in big non-playoff race related news, it has gotten ugly in Seattle with Ichrio. Really ugly.

Things got so bad in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse during this discouraging season that one player reportedly threatened to "knock out" outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, the team's highest profile player.

A "clubhouse insider" quoted in Thursday's edition of The Seattle Times said, "I just can't believe the number of guys who really dislike him. It got to a point early on when I thought they were going to get together and go after him."

The story went on to say that coaches and then-manager John McLaren, who was fired June 19, intervened when one player was overheard talking about wanting to "knock him out." A meeting was called to clear the air.

Oh boy.