51.   It was not long ago the same could have been said of the chances that the Mets would be back in the thick of a playoff race.

52.   Knowing the pitcher would prefer a month off and will push himself only because of the playoff race, missing two starts remains a strong possibility.

53.   Los Angeles, which was eliminated from the playoff race on Sunday, sports few big names, a plummeting fan base and a real sense of desperation.

54.   Meanwhile, three straight wins had put the Warriors back into the playoff race.

55.   More important, it would keep them in the playoff race.

56.   Meanwhile, the Cavs, with no front-line star, no expensive free agents, are in the thick of a most competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.

57.   More significantly, they failed to gain ground in the playoff race, remaining three points behind eighth-place San Jose.

58.   NEW YORK - The injury-weakened New York Rangers stirred the Eastern Conference playoff race on Monday night, helping both themselves and the New Jersey Devils.

59.   No doubt, the Giant coaches think they have a chance to get back into the playoff race.

60.   New England has jumped right back into the playoff race because quarterback Drew Bledsoe has taken the team on his back.