Eight Teams Advance Into Playoffs

The 2002 regular season has completed and eight teams have advanced into the Millennium Playoffs:

Atlanta is the #1 Seed by winning 103 games this season and their division by a whopping 28 games. Atlanta last made the playoffs in 2000 when the Braves won a league record 105 games. The Braves are 7-6 in playoff games with a series win over the Giants and a loss to Arizona.

#2 Seed Arizona has made the playoffs in all three Millennium seasons, winning the league championship in 2000. The D-Backs beat out a strong Pirate ballclub by three games for the division crown. Arizona is 17-9 in total playoff games.

2001 Championship winner Seattle is the #3 Seed. The Mariners, who took over the lead in their division on August 3rd, finished strong by winning their division by 10 games. Seattle is 12-1 in playoff games in their only playoff appearance in 2001.

The final division winner, #4 Seed New York, is making their first playoff appearance. The Yankees, engaged a battle for the division crown with the Phillies all season. New York's Paul Byrd broke a league record this season by winning 24 games.

Sporting an identical record as the Yankees, #5 Seed Pittsburgh is a team to be reckoned with. The Buccos starting staff of Zito, Oswalt, Wood and Clement is formidable. Pittsburgh is also making their first playoff appearance.

High powered offense #6 Seed Philadelphia is back in the playoffs. With an offense of Pujols, Guerrero, Tejada and company, the Phillies are a unique team. Philadelphia is 5-4 (series win over St. Louis and series loss vs. Cleveland) in their 2000 playoff games.

#7 Seed San Francisco and Barry Bonds is making their second playoff appearance. The Giants are 2-4 in the playoffs based on their 2000 series loss to the Braves.

Finally, #8 Seed Boston is no pushover. Making their first playoff apearance, the Red S0x placed three starters in the top 10 in ERA this season: Martinez, Lowe and Glavine.