Omar the Magnificent

ESPN has a fan poll asking which team that currently is not in first place has the best chance to make the playoffs. The results are

D-Backs 33.5%
Red Sox 30.1%
A's 12.1%
Giants 6.6%
Expos 6.5%
Angels 5.9%
Reds 4.8%.

Now, does fan perecption match reality. Here are the teams, their games behind their respective division leader and behind the wildcard leader:

Team           GB Div             GB WC
Boston             2                    -
Anaheim          3                     .5
Oakland           5                   2.5
Arizona             .5                  -
San Fran          3                   3.5
Montreal         11.5                7
Cincinnati         2.5                7

Now what's wrong with that picture. All of these teams are within five games of their division leader or the wildcard leader except the Expos. And yet the Expos are given more of a chance by the average ESPN fan that two other teams. I kind of have to agree with the fans' assesment of the Reds' chances, but the poor Angels get no respect-- they are within striking distance for both the AL West crown and the AL wildcard (2 ahead of the A's), but nary a fan thinks that they can garner a playoff spot.

Anyway, those Expo trades have generated a positive image in the public eye even though they haven't helped the Expos fortunes on the field. Way to go Omar! Maybe he'll get a commission when the sell the team.