Hot Or Not? Does It Affect The Playoffs?

In his post Thursday, Dave lamented the Red Sox's six-game losing streak, which was snapped with a 3-0 win over the Indians yesterday, and what it might mean for Boston's chances in the playoffs.

I suggested in the comments section that if we took a closer look at how playoffs team finished each year, the evidence likely would prove inconclusive.

Well, with the Yankees off, I decided to take a closer look. Here is how playoff teams from 2003 to 2008 finished from Sept. 1 on and in their last seven games, as well as how they fared in the playoffs that season. I will make note of any significant winning or losing streaks.

Draw your own conclusions.

2003
New York Yankees
Sept. 1 on: 18-9
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

Boston Red Sox (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 17-9
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS

Minnesota Twins
Sept. 1 on: 19-7 (includes 11-game winning steak)
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Yankees

Oakland A's
Sept. 1 on: 14-11
Last 7: 4-3 (lost last 3 to end season)
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Red Sox

Atlanta Braves
Sept. 1 on: 14-12
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS To Cubs

Florida Marlins (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 18-8
Last 7: 6-1
Playoffs: Won World Series

Chicago Cubs
Sept. 1 on: 19-8
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

San Francisco Giants
Sept. 1 on: 18-8
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Marlins

2004
New York Yankees
Sept. 1 on: 20-11
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS (don't remind me)

Boston Red Sox (wild card)
Sept 1 on: 21-11
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Won World Series (don't remind me)

Minnesota Twins
Sept. 1 on: 19-12
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Yankees

Angels
Sept. 1 on: 17-14
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Red Sox

Atlanta Braves
Sept 1. on: 15-14
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Astros

St. Louis Cardinals
Sept. 1 on: 18-13
Last 7: 2-5
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

Houston Astros (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 23-7
Last 7: 7-0
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers
Sept. 1 on: 16-15
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Cardinals

2005
New York Yankees
Sept. 1 on: 20-10
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Angels

Boston Red Sox (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 18-13
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to White Sox

Chicago White Sox
Sept. 1 on: 19-12
Last 7: 5-2 (won last 5)
Playoffs: Won World Series

Angels
Sept. 1 on: 21-9
Last 7: 6-1
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS

Atlanta Braves
Sept. 1 on: 15-14
Last 7: 2-5 (including 4-game losing streak)
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Astros

St. Louis Cardinals
Sept. 1 on: 15-13
Last 7: 4-3 (lost last 3)
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

Houston Astros (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 19-11
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

San Diego Padres
Sept. 1 on: 16-13
Last 7: 5-2 (won 5 of last 6)
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Cardinals

2006
New York Yankees
Sept. 1 on: 18-12
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Tigers

Minnesota Twins
Sept. 1 on: 19-11
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to A's

Detroit Tigers (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 12-16
Last 7: 2-5 (Lost last 5 games to cost team division title)
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

Oakland A's
Sept. 1 on: 16-13
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS

New York Mets
Sept. 1 on: 15-15
Last 7: 4-3 (won last 4)
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

St. Louis Cardinals
Sept. 1 on: 12-17 (includes 7-game losing streak)
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Won World Series

San Diego Padres
Sept. 1 on: 20-9 (includes 6-game winning streak)
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Cardinals

Los Angeles Dodgers (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 17-12
Last 7: 7-0
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Mets

2007
Boston Red Sox
Sept. 1 on: 16-11
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Won World Series

New York Yankees (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 18-12
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Indians

Cleveland Indians
Sept. 1 on: 19-9
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS

Angels
Sept. 1 on: 14-14
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies
Sept. 1 on: 17-11
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Rockies

Chicago Cubs
Sept. 1 on: 17-12
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks
Sept. 1 on: 15-11
Last 7: 2-5
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

Colorado Rockies (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 21-8 (includes 11-game winning streak, part of winning 14 of last 15)
Last 7: 6-1
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

2008
Tampa Bay Rays
Sept. 1 on: 13-14
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in World Series

Boston Red Sox (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 16-10
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALCS

Chicago White Sox
Sept. 1 on: 12-15
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Rays

Angels
Sept. 1 on: 17-9
Last 7: 4-3
Playoffs: Lost in ALDS to Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies
Sept. 1 on: 17-8
Last 7: 5-2
Playoffs: Won World Series

Chicago Cubs
Sept. 1 on: 12-12
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Dodgers

Milwaukee Brewers (wild card)
Sept. 1 on: 10-16
Last 7: 6-1
Playoffs: Lost in NLDS to Phillies

Los Angeles Dodgers
Sept. 1 on: 17-8
Last 7: 3-4
Playoffs: Lost in NLCS

And there you have it. I'm interested to read your conclusions.