1.   An improvement to just mediocrity this season likely would result in a playoff berth.

2.   And Leyland, once staunchly opposed to the wild-card playoff berth, now might need it to get past his old nemesis.

3.   And nobody suffered more than the Canadiens, who are struggling for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

4.   And with the season winding down and teams battling for playoff berths and playoff positioning, the veteran teams are playing with intensity and precision.

5.   And though injuries continued to decimate their lineup, the Nets went on to earn their first playoff berth in three years.

6.   And the Ducks are contending for their first Stanley Cup playoff berth.

7.   And unlike Cox, Mets Manager Bobby Valentine had no such luxuries with his pitching staff, what with the Mets fighting for a playoff berth.

8.   And the point they gained lifted them into a tie with Winnipeg for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

9.   Another Mets win or Dodgers loss would clinch the playoff berth for the Mets.

10.   And will the execution of this master plan result in a playoff berth?