October 1, 201214 yr Seven times in baseball history, the AL or NL batting championship was decided by less than one point. [TABLE]Year[TD=width: 39]Lea[/TD][TD=width: 117]Player[/TD][TD=width: 53]BA[/TD][TD=width: 53]BA[/TD][TD=width: 53]Diff[/TD]1982ALWillie Wilson.332.33162[/TD]Robin Yount.331.33071.000921935ALBuddy Myer.349.34903Joe Vosmik.348.34839.000641970ALAlex Johnson.329.32899Carl Yastrzemski.329.32862.000371931NLChick Hafey.349.34889Bill Terry.349.34861.000282003NLAlbert Pujols.359.35871Todd Helton.358.35849.000221949ALGeorge Kell.343.34291Ted Williams.343.34276.000161945ALSnuffy Stirnweiss.309.30854Tony Cuccinello.308.30846.00009[/TABLE] Trout, Beltre and Jeter are still in the race but for this post, I'm counting them out and I'm focusing on Cabrera and Mauer. Both players' teams have three games left. Obviously, and for the record, we don't know how many of those games they will play or many at-bats or hits they will get. Suppose though that Cabrera goes 3 for 11 and Mauer goes 4 for 11. Then they will finish: [TABLE]Year[TD=width: 39]Lea[TD=width: 117]Player[/TD][TD=width: 53]BA[/TD][TD=width: 53]BA[/TD][TD=width: 53]Diff[/TD]2012ALMiguel Cabrera.324.32424[/TD][TD]Joe Mauer.324.32418.00006[/TABLE] It would be the closest finish in history.
October 1, 201214 yr Normally, if the Tigers were to clinch today or tomorrow, they'd probably give their star player an extra day of rest before the playoffs. If Mauer has the lead in AVG or Hamilton has the lead in HR, no break will happen for Cabrera I would suspect. If the Tigers clinch, I wonder what would happen if Hamilton sits because the Rangers have also clinched but Cabrera leads or is tied for HR and Cabrera has a two point lead in the batting race. Do the Tigers have Cabrera play and put his destiny in his own hands, or do they sit back and see if Mauer can catch him? Edited October 1, 201214 yr by nicksaviking
October 1, 201214 yr Have to think that Cabrera is going to want to play. Thanks for the stats. It's going to be so much fun to see how these last few games play out. I'll be switching back and forth between the Twins/Blue Jays and Tigers/Royals.
October 1, 201214 yr I think Cabrera will play all three games. I could be wrong-- but Detroit currently has a three game lead on Chicago. If they lose all three games and Chicago wins all three-- tying for first-- I believe that the stats for the game 163 playoff counts for the regular season--- as do the one game wild card stats. So Cabrera would have an extra game to try to clinch the triple crown if needed. The wild card won't come from the Central-- so that is not an issue. Could some one confirm that the stats count? It is highly unlikely this would happen---but stranger things have occurred.
October 1, 201214 yr I think Cabrera will play all three games. I could be wrong-- but Detroit currently has a three game lead on Chicago. If they lose all three games and Chicago wins all three-- tying for first-- I believe that the stats for the game 163 playoff counts for the regular season--- as do the one game wild card stats. So Cabrera would have an extra game to try to clinch the triple crown if needed. The wild card won't come from the Central-- so that is not an issue. Could some one confirm that the stats count? It is highly unlikely this would happen---but stranger things have occurred. Game 163 counts, Wild Card game does not.
October 1, 201214 yr Alexi Cassila finishes below the medoza line had game 163 not counted in 2009, though I hope that wasn't the thought going through his head while he was running down to first.
October 2, 201214 yr Well, 4 for 5 with a solo HR will do wonders for Miggy. Mauer's 1 for 5, not so much.
October 2, 201214 yr Well you can still cheer for that exciting 4th worst record finish. they have the commanding (1 game) lead currently.
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