Dykstra: One-Upping the Competition

It's not quite crunch time, but many teams are using the dog days of summer to start jockeying for postseason position. But in the end, none of the teams have to be record-setters. All they have to do is be slightly better than the competition. This concept is also key to the philosophy that applies to my stock-picking as well.

In the National League East, my two former teams faced off in a four-game set this past weekend. The Phillies sit atop the division while the New York Mets are chasing them -- the Mets currently sit in third place, 2.5 games back of first. The most recent series was a dogfight that included a blown ninth inning save by Mets' closer -- and former Phillies closer -- Billy Wagner, as well as another near colossal collapse.

The Mets blew a late-season division lead last season, eventually falling to the Phillies and missing the playoffs. It was a crushing blow to a team favored by many to win the division and the pennant. The Mets managed to weather the barrage the Phils brought last night and hold on for a 10-9 victory. The "Amazins" had been holding a nine-run lead only to watch that evaporate, but ultimately they held on for a one-run victory.

In the N.L. Central, the Milwaukee Brewers, who are nine games above .500, made a major play to capture the flag now. They dealt four prospects for Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, giving the team a second ace to complement a staff that already features Ben Sheets. The Brew Crew is currently four games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs and sit in third place behind the St. Louis Cardinals....