41.   Might there be exciting division races, something lacking last season?

42.   Obviously, if every team in the division races were assured of a playoff spot, the races would command less interest.

43.   Once the Mets reeled off enough victories to insert themselves into the division race briefly, manager Bobby Valentine began getting credit for leading the team into contention.

44.   Right now, there is only one decent division race, although Tom Lasorda would beg to differ.

45.   Say what you want about how the league being skim milk, but the mediocrity is leading to some interesting division races.

46.   So did the Mariners, who seemingly let the front-running Rangers know that this division race still has some life left in it.

47.   Some Indians players might have inspired the Twins recently by saying they were more concerned with the White Sox in the division race.

48.   Still, that the Yankees can even discuss the division race without eliciting smirks these days is an accomplishment.

49.   That gives the Rangers a chance to control their fate in the division title race.

50.   That schedule meant division races would be decided more by interdivision games than by intradivision games.