51.   But whether the Nets can hang on for a playoff berth without him is questionable.

52.   But they rose to the challenge as the team climbed back into a tie with Hartford for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

53.   But those wins, those playoff berths, meant nothing when it came to helping the major-league club this season.

54.   Can clinch playoff berth with either a New York Jets loss or a tie against New England and New York Jets-Detroit game ends in a tie.

55.   Calgary is close to clinching a playoff berth and probably will need him to advance.

56.   Can clinch playoff berth with either a tie or a New York Jets loss.

57.   Can clinch playoff berth with either a win or a tie and Miami-New England game does not end in a tie.

58.   Can such a callow lot collectively manufacture a pennant, or at least a playoff berth?

59.   Can the Rangers earn a playoff berth without a dominant pitcher in their rotation?

60.   COLUMN-THIEL Seattle Post-Intelligencer sports columnist Art Thiel writes from the Mariners game, as the team tries to secure a playoff berth.