In the long road that is the MLB regular season, there is more in the rear view mirror than what lies ahead. However, the most important games of the year have yet to occur. And considering how one week can alter the status of a pennant chase, the forecast for these divisional battles are certainly subject to change.
6. NL Central
Let’s be honest. This one was over early. The Chicago Cubs made a shambles of their competition from the season’s outset – opening up an 8.5-game cushion with a 25-6 record by May 10.
That was beneficial, because a six-week stretch of playing below-.500 didn’t incite any panic among the patrons in Wrigleyville. Now, Joe Maddon’s club is back to its old ways – and leaving the rest of the National League in the dust. The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, talented teams in their own right, simply playing for a distant second.
5. NL East
If the Marlins have any plans of erasing the eight-game gap that separates themselves and the Washington Nationals, they’ll have to do it without Giancarlo Stanton. On Aug. 14, the slugger suffered an ankle injury that is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The Nats would be tough enough to catch even if Miami was at full strength. Despite a struggling Bryce Harper, the bat of Daniel Murphy and the arm of Stephen Strasburg have Washington in place for a third division title in five years. But the ladder is now on the DL for the second time with right elbow soreness, although the team remains optimistic about October. The New York Mets, who were expected by many to repeat, are simply trying to stay afloat in the Wild Card race.
4. AL West
When the first place Texas Rangers landed veterans Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline, it appeared that the division title was a foregone conclusion. But even though the Rangers are remaining consistent, the Seattle Mariners — led by a strong middle of the lineup — have been one of the best teams over the past three weeks. These two clubs will face off seven times over the next 16 days.
The Astros aren’t climbing the ladder like they did back in June. Despite Monday’s victory over the Pirates, Houston remains eight full games back of Texas. In order to make up ground on the M’s and Rangers, it’ll need players other than Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa to improve the team’s .247 batting average.
3. AL Central
The Indians managed to maintain their strong hold on first place thanks to a home weekend series filled with drama – from a walk-off inside-the-park homer to Sunday’s late rally. Among AL clubs, Cleveland enjoys the most consistent starting rotation and, with the trade deadline addition of Andrew Miller, an improved bullpen.
Detroit’s hot streak in late July and early August vaulted them into second place, but it’s hard to envision the Tigers keeping pace. Even though certain people left the Royals for dead about a week-and-a-half ago, K.C.’s latest run of eight straight victories has – for now – put the rest of the division on notice: don’t count out the defending champs.
2. NL West
When Clayton Kershaw went on the disabled list on July 1 and then a setback in his rehab put the rest of his year in doubt, the natural tendency would be to shelve the Dodgers’ postseason chances along with it. But with a little help from rest of the L.A. rotation, a great rookie campaign from Corey Seager, and the stumbling Giants (an MLB-worst 11-23 since the All-Star break), the Dodgers now find themselves atop the West.
After appearing like a World Series favorite at mid-season, San Francisco can’t get out of its own way. Bruce Bochy’s club has mustered only 26 home runs dating back to July 15 and the team ERA in that span is 4.33 (nearly a run higher than it was in the first half). The balance of power can change this week, however, as the two rivals meet in Southern California for a critical three-game series.
1. AL East
Entering play on Monday, three teams were within 2.5 games and four were separated by just 6.5. The trio at the head of the division share a common (and entertaining) quality. Baltimore, Boston and Toronto all rank among the AL’s top five in runs scored and among the top seven in homers.
Star power isn’t lacking, either: Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, David Ortiz, Mookie Betts, David Price, Manny Machado, and Mark Trumbo.
Weird as it may seem, the Yankees lack in household names, yet are managing to get by with promising young hitters. Making up the deficit they face is plausible, but trying to leapfrog three teams is less so. Regardless if the Yankees hang in contention, this division is the surest bet to be up in the air by the season’s final weekend.
