Pirates, Reds Clinch Playoff Slots

Hello,

The Dodgers had Monday off, there will be no Dodger Daily today. However as the Pirates are one of my teams I'd like to write a short blog to congratulate them. The Pirates clinched at least one of the two NL Wild Card spots. It will be their first playoff appearance in 21 years.

On Monday the Pirates, Reds and Cardinals all won, making the NL Central race even more exciting. The Reds clinched a playoff spot and the Nationals are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Of course the Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot, their magic number is 4 to clinch the NL Central.

For the Pirates, Starling Marte hit a tie breaking homer in the top of the 9th inning. It's his 12th homer this season, but probably his biggest homer this season. The Pirates earned the win by throwing out a Cubs runner in the bottom of the 9th inning, it was the final out of the game.

Mark Melancon blew the save, but earned the win. Then Jason Grilli, who the Pirates haven't rushed back from injury, came in and earned his 32nd save of the season.

The Pirates improve to 90-67 this season and will be going to the playoffs for the first time since the early 90s. First the Pirates had the best record at one point this season, then clinched their first above .500 season and now have clinched a playoff spot. I don't expect a long playoff run by the playoff newbies, but if they improve this much next year then the skies the limit.

St. Louis still leads the Pirates and Reds by 2 games in the NL Central. All three teams are assured a playoff spot. Now the only two questions remaining are who's going to win the NL Central and who'll host the NL Wild Card game. With the Pirates closing out the final week of the regular season on the road, you know Pirates fans are hoping at least to host the NL Wild Card game.

The Pirates have two more games against the Cubs in Chicago, have Thursday off then close out the season with 3 games in Cincinnati. Meanwhile the Reds play two more games against the Mets, have Thursday off and then close out the season against the Pirates. That should make an exciting finale for an exciting season.

Congrats again to the Pirates.

themusicaddict