Race for the Basement

Historically speaking, baseball is colored by its division races. For the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets, a division championship is far out of reach. Instead, they're in a dogfight to see which team will, uh, not finish in last place. So, not exactly the type of thing that...

By Jordan Sargent

August 25, 2011

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Historically speaking, baseball is colored by its division races. For the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets, a division championship is far out of reach. Instead, they're in a dogfight to see which team will, uh, not finish in last place. So, not exactly the type of thing that gets a commemorative DVD. But Florida-New York bragging rights are up for grabs, so the race for fourth becomes mildly important nonetheless. The good news for the Marlins is that they're 7-3 against the Mets this year and always seem to find ways to pull victories out of a hat, culminating in Mike Stanton's extra-inning grand slam in New York the first night of August. There have been few bright spots for either franchise this year, but burying their rivals in last place would be about the smallest morsel of positivity that could be salvaged from a season that's been a major disappointment. The battle for fourth place continues Monday at Sun Life Stadium.
Mon., Sept. 5, 7:10 p.m., 2011

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