11.   In fact, the Irish could wind up without a postseason berth if their ranking does not rise and they decline an invitation from the Independence Bowl.

12.   In their quest to capture a postseason berth for the first time, a break-even homestand did little for the Mariners but cost them time.

13.   It was difficult to assume any postseason berth with their history and Atlanta, Miami and Utah on tap, the Timberwolves wanted to clinch ASAP.

14.   Lose this series to the Reds, and the Astros frankly would not deserve a postseason berth.

15.   Minnesota will clinch a postseason berth with a win over Green Bay and with a loss by either Arizona or New Orleans.

16.   Meanwhile, the club continues to muddle along, not out of the race for a postseason berth but looking increasingly like a nonstarter.

17.   Nearly everything that happened Saturday pushed Stanford closer to a postseason berth.

18.   Not long ago a player or two from returning to a perennial playoff team, the Mavericks now admit that a postseason berth will have to wait.

19.   No league championship, no real hope to land a postseason berth?

20.   Now he is ready to help chase a postseason berth for the team that did not want him as a catcher two years ago.