The MLB’s regular season is winding down, and division titles still haven’t been clinched, much less spots in the Wild Card games. It simply is the most exciting time of the year for baseball fans, with 17 teams from two leagues going for 10 spots in October’s postseason.
There are many races that may go down to the last day or two of the season. It’s tough to predict who will emerge, but I’ll give it my best shot.
AL East
Just a few days ago, the Baltimore Orioles led the division by nine games and no one thought the New York Yankees or Toronto Blue Jays had a chance. However, news of Manny Machado’s season-ending injury and a three-game losing streak made this division a little more interesting.
However, the Orioles till lead by a hefty six games and play the Yankees eight times in September, a team that they’re 8-3 against this year. This seems to trend toward the Orioles, and with an already large lead, it makes it almost insurmountable for the Yankees.
Orioles win by 7 games.
AL Central
The AL Central got so much more exciting, as the Kansas City Royals surged to the top of the division, past the reeling Detroit Tigers who had held the position all season. The Royals have gone 17-6 in August and face a weak schedule down the road.
However, the Tigers are the Tigers. They have the most star-studded rotation rotation in years, with Max Scherzer, David Price and a down Justin Verlander. Add in an offense that includes Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, and I see a good chance to chance down the inexperienced Royals.
Tigers win by 2 games.
AL West
The AL West has featured the league’s two-best teams fighting it out all season. Right now, the two teams are tied atop the division, but the Angels had been the hotter team in early August.
We know the Oakland Athletics have a vaunted rotation with Jon Lester, Sonny Gray and Jeff Samardzija, but the Angels can’t match up. Garrett Richards was their ace, and he’s gone for the season. In the end, I think pitching will prevail.
Athletics win by 2 games.
NL East
The Washington Nationals are on a tear at the moment, winning 12 of 14 and owning baseball’s biggest division lead of 7.5 games. It also helps that the Atlanta Braves are reeling in August, sitting at, 10-12 overall.
However, the teams meet six times before the end of the season, and the Braves are 9-4 against their division foe. This race could get tighter if the Nationals cannot compete with a weak Braves team down the stretch.
Nationals win by 5 games.
NL Central
The NL Central is a division that could go down to the last day, or even farther, as the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are separated by just 1.5 games. The Brewers are using a strong rotation to maintain pace on the Cardinals.
However, the potential comeback of Yadier Molina and Michael Wacha could give the Cardinals the upperhand. It also helps that they face a schedule that includes many losing teams.
Cardinals win by 1 game.
NL West
The Dodgers were predicted to be the class of the division and they have been just that this season. They rank sixth in team ERA and 13th in runs scored, which has helped create a five-game lead over the San Francisco Giants.
The Giants are a good team, but with question in their rotation, it would be tough to see them competing with the Dodgers down the stretch. Clayton Kershaw and company seemed primed for a long postseason.
Dodgers win by 7 games.