Exciting September at hand

Lots going on in Mariner land. Why just in the last few days we've learned-

Morse is out for personal reasons.
Ugueto is out for personal reasons.
Borders is traded.
Blackley is out due to injury all next year.

Meanwhile the M's have won five in a row. Ichiro gets three hits, and Lopez hits yet another dinger. Moyer gives up two more to set an M's record. The Yanks get creamed. The Red Sox win.

Wow, there are plenty of stories in baseball right now. You have to figure September is going to be AMAZING with the drive to the playoffs between the Yanks, Red Sox, Angels, Rangers and A's.

Hard to believe, but don't you have to now put the Yankees in the group of teams fighting for a playoff spot? Being 3 1/2 games out and yet seeing the number of teams playing fantastic ball right now must be killing Yanks fans.

It's one thing to see the Rangers, A's, Red Sox and Angels all fighting for two berths. It's even more amazing when you see all four teams are red hot, and are charging directly at the Yankees.

However, the Yankees do have the lead right now, and teams that lead going in to September invariably have it at the end. Over 80% of the time the team ahead to start the month is in the playoffs.

Still, with the Yanks starting pitching problems, NY fans have to be a little concerned. I'm sure all baseball fans will be watching Red Sox and Yankee scores for the next month. And we all have to feel better knowing Steinbrenner is squirming just a little...