Strange Brew: The 2008 MLB Playoff Update

News from over the weekend:
For the second year in a row, Sunday will not mark the final game of the regular season after the White Sox defeated the Indians, 5-1. Couple their win with Minnesota's 6-0 win over the Royals and the two teams stand a half game a part in the NL Central. Normally that would signal the Twin's trip to the playoffs, however, the White Sox are still one game short of playing a full season and will make-up a rainout with the Tigers on Monday. If the White Sox win, the Twins and Sox will play a one game playoff to decide who will go to Tampa to take on the Rays. Got it?

Also for a second straight season, the Mets will be watching the playoffs from the sidelines after falling to the Marlins, 4-2. The Mets had entered the game tied for the NL Wild Card, but CC Sabathia delivered his 10th complete game of the season holding the Cubs to just one run, while Ryan Braun launched the game winning two run homer to give the Brewers the 3-1 win and it's first trip to the postseason since 1982. To put this into perspective Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun were not even born yet and Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy were less than a year old the last time Milwaukee hosted a playoff game.

The Mets also missed out on the NL East after the Phillies clinched on Saturday with a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Teams in:
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Brewers

AL East: Rays
AL Central: White Sox/Twins
AL West: Angels
AL Wild Card: Red Sox

Except for the AL Central, all other playoff spots have been earned. Click here for the postseason schedule which gets underway on Wednesday at 3 PM as the Phillies host the Brewers.

Injury Updates:
Red Sox - Josh Beckett injured his oblique throwing a bullpen session on Friday and his start has been pushed back to Game 3, moving Jon Lester up to pitch game one.

Brewers - Ben Sheets says he's done for the season.

Dodgers - Reliever Hong-Chih Kuo will not pitch in the NLDS

Cubs - Mark DeRosa (calf) says he should be ready to go for Game 1 of the NLDS.