If it looks like a team that misses the playoffs (Scott Hatteberg at DH, a guy with no homers behind the plate, and a guy with a .304 OBP acting as the savior of the offense) and acts like a team that misses the playoffs (nearly blowing a six-run lead against thoroughly mediocre Minnesota, losing to teams like the Mariners with regularity), then is it a team that will miss the playoffs?

Given that the A's are just a game and a half back (though two in the loss column, so the Angels control their destiny a little more), and that Bobby Crosby is, apparently (his ankle is still tender) back, maybe the A's can still head to the post-season after all.

I'm standing by my pre-season prediction of second place, though, because I don't see the A's beating the Angels head-to-head when it matters, in those four games starting the 26th.

Also, your help is requested. Abebooks.com is really neat. Does anyone know a similar source for used CD vendors? Thanks.