Wickman's Braves' debut
Bob Wickman came into the ninth this evening with the Braves leading the Phillies 5-1. Wickman retired the Phillies in order, like he did oh so many times with the Indians. Perhaps there's a trace of sarcasm in that remark.
By beating Philadelphia tonight, the Braves moved within five games of Wild Card leading Cincinnati.
Here's the difference between the National and American League right now: The Braves are five games under .500, but are buyers at the deadline. It's true they are five games out, but Atlanta is tied with three other teams at five games out. There are seven teams tied or better than Atlanta in the race.
This is beginning to remind me of the AFC in the 90s. I was in high school before I saw an AFC team win a Super Bowl (I started watching the game in 1986, when the Bears clobbered the Patriots). The NFC had the 49ers, Redskins, Cowboys and Giants, who won two Super Bowls each during the following years.
The American League has the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers. The only team close in the National League to that level is the Mets.
Weird.