Not Good Enough for 2nd Wild Card

When the world comes to an end all that will be left alive will be cockroaches and cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals survived over the Braves with help of an infield fly and overcame a 6-0 Game 5 deficit in Washington. They will face the Giants who were down 0-2 and traveling to Cincy for three games. Welcome to the 2012 playoffs!?! LaRussa and Pujols, overratted? Tim Lincecum, middle reliever? In the AL, the Rangers season came to an abrupt end. All five LDS series went five games. The Orioles out un-hit the Yankees and joined the A's on the sidelines watching the Yanks-Tigers in the ALCS. Yanks got vintage CC not the "Fat Elvis" variety they had grown used to since mid-2011. The last three World Champs are still alive so naturally I'll be pulling for Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers. As for the ten best non-playoff teams of 2012, here goes...
Tampa Bay Rays (90-72) Teams are beginning to emulate their thrifty roster building style. However, too much pitching and not enough hitting is still not good enough for a playoff berth. Too much missed time for Evan Longoria (just 273 PA's). David Price has a strong shot at Cy Young (20-5, 2.56 ERA) but closer Fernando Rodney had the lowest ERA (0.60) for a pitcher with 50 IP minimum. Loaded with arms, likely to contend again in 2013. MVP- Price.
LA Angels (89-73) If Mike Trout had started in April, he'd probably be the MVP and the Angels wouldv'e made the playoffs. Trout's astronomical numbers (129 runs, 30 HRs, 49 SBs, and unbelievable catches) have many calling for him to be AL MVP. Is Albert Pujols still on this team? MVP-Trout.
LA Dodgers (86-76) Don Mattingly remains ringless, but Josh Beckett has to be easier to deal with than the McCourts. With A-Rod being benched in AL playoffs, I can't help but think he'll end up with Magic's Dodgers. MVP- Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 229 K's, 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)
Chicago White Sox (85-77) Will Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny spark a new managerial trend? Recently retired players with little manager experience at the helm. Chisox led ALCS most of the season behind rebound years by Adam Dunn and Alex Rios. Phillip Humber tossed a perfect game in April and was in the pen by September. Ahh those fickle baseball gods. Youkilis followed Carlton Fisk in changing from Red to White Sox. Paul Konerko, Hall of Famer? MVP- Alex Rios (.304, 25 HRs, 23 SBs)
Milwaukee Brewers (83-79) Ryan Braun avoided 50 game suspension and produced even better season (.319, 41 HRs, 112 RBI, 30 SBs), but Brew Crew didn't get on-track until late August. After trading away Zach Greinke the Brewers went on a 25-7 tear to pull within games of second wild card. Teams will seriously consider trade deadline from this point on as second WC is closer than  most thought. Whatever happened to Tony Plush? MVP- Braun.
Philadelphia Phillies (81-81) Injuries to Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard derail playoff hopes early. Trades of Joe Blanton, Hunter Pence, and Shane Victorino signal white flag way too early. Juan Pierre slaps 121 more hits, and Cliff Lee takes forever to get first win. Carlos Ruiz bats .325, but J-Roll drops to .250. MVP- Cole Hamels (17-6, 1.12 WHIP, 216 K's)
Arizona Diamondbacks (81-81) Did I even watch an inning of the D'backs play this season? I couldn't tell you anything off the top of my head and I'm too tired to look it up. MVP- Not Justin Upton like I thought it would be.
Pittsburgh Pirates (79-83) 20th consecutive losing streak becomes a reality in putrid final weeks. Andrew McCutchen emerges as a true star (.327, 31 HRs, 20 SBs) and AJ Burnett wins 16 games. MVP-McCutch
San Diego Padres (76-86) Okay I looked it up...we'll say Wade Miley was the D'backs MVP at 16-10. I did know that the Pads Chase Headley had a monster season. He was the NL player of the month in August and September as San Diego battled to respectability. MVP- Headley (64 XBH, 115 RBI)
Seattle Mariners (75-87) A`part of two no-hitters and one perfect game in the same season. One no-hitter by committee and perfecto by King Felix. Personally, Ackley and Montero killed me in Fantasy, but at least I knew not to take Chone Figgins (.181) MVP- Felix Hernandez (13-9, 1.14 WHIP, 223 K's)