The regular season is winding down as October and the Fall Classic are fast approaching. The last few weeks separate the pretenders from the contenders. Some teams are in control of their own destiny, while others will need some help to make the playoffs. Let’s take a look at where the teams stand at this point.
1. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have won the AL East and have the best record in the AL at 94-61. The Sox had been in control of this division for practically the whole season and will be a force in the playoffs. They recently got Clay Buchholz back, who will be a boost to their rotation as he’s 11-0 with a 1.51 ERA this season. The Sox rotation will also have Jon Lester who has had a great year with his 15-8 record and 3.67 ERA. Their lineup of David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Will Middlebrooks, and Mike Napoli. All these guys are threats at the plate and have made many contributions to get this team to where they are.
Their bullpen has been pretty strong this season despite losing Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan. Koji Uehara has taken over the closing role and has 20 saves on the year. He was given the job by default after the injuries to Bailey and Hanrahan, but has done a decent job thus far. Overall, the Red Sox are a solid team and have a lineup that’ll scare opposing pitchers. So, congratulations to the Boston Red Sox on winning the AL East for the first time since 2007. This is a good team and will be a serious contender in October.
2. Oakland Athletics
For a second year in a row the Oakland A’s will win the AL West. This time though, in less dramatic fashion. They have a six and a half game lead and a magic number of two. Last year when the A’s entered the playoffs it was quite the shock around the baseball world, this year, it was expected. They’ve made quite a few improvements to help push them passed the ALDS. The A’s have had their struggles over the course of this 2013 season, but they’re getting contributions from everyone and winning games as a team. Looking at this team heading into October, they have what it takes to be a force.
A pitching staff that’s been living up to it’s name lately led by the veteran Bartolo Colon as well as the young ace, Jarrod Parker. This rotation is so stacked, that Brett Anderson is now pitching in relief. The bullpen has had some issues lately, especially Ryan Cook and Grant Balfour, who have been keeping A’s fans at the edge of their seats the past few weeks. The A’s are definitely contenders, as they have the second best record in the AL, but set them apart from other teams, they must resolve their bullpen issues because they will need a lights out pen come October. A rematch against the Tigers looks inevitable at this point, but the A’s will try to get that number one seed by year’s end.
3. Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers will again win the AL Central with ease. This team always plays extremely well come October baseball. This team has an amazing roster and a great manager in Jim Leyland. The Tigers have been to the World Series twice in six years and lost both times. This year, they’ll try to erase those bad memories and take home the trophy. Justin Verlander has had his struggles this year, but when October rolls around, he’s an ace on the hill. Max Scherzer has had a ridiculous season with his 20-3 record, 3.00 ERA, and 230 strikeouts. Scherzer is still clearly in the lead for this year's Cy Young Award. They have two aces to lead the way to go along with a stellar lineup featuring last year's Triple Crown Winner, Miguel Cabrera, who is having another impressive season (.346 batting average, 44 homeruns, and 135 RBI).
Only thing standing between him and another triple crown is Chris Davis who has 51 homers on the year for the Orioles. Cabrera and Prince Fielder clearly lead the pack, but new addition, Torii Hunter has proved to be a valuable offseason acquisition for Detroit. If the playoffs started right now, Detroit would face the A’s in the ALDS, and they’ve had quite the success against Oakland in the postseason. The Tigers have what it takes to win, as they did last year, they just need to figure out how to put it all together.
4. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays currently lead the Wild Card race, and have been right in the middle of postseason talk for awhile now. They find a way to battle and win games which will pay off in the end. They have some good pitchers including David Price and some forces in the lineup such as Evan Longoria, Wil Myers, James Loney, and Ben Zobrist. This current series with the Orioles is huge for them and they have a tough schedule moving forward, but if they can win these games, they’ll hold their fate in their hands while gaining some momentum and confidence heading into the postseason.
5. Cleveland Indians
The Indians have shown so much improvement from years past and have a chance to win a Wild Card spot. Due to the Rangers poor play recently, the Indians have found themselves with a lead in the Wild Card. This team also has an easy schedule to finish out the season as they’ll face the Astros, White Sox, and Twins, to end 2013. They just need to win games and concentrate on keeping pace. The Rays and Rangers will lose games moving forward as they have tougher schedules. The Indians could see themselves winning a Wild Card spot, but don’t expect them to go further than the elimination game.
6. Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles look to build off of their magical 2012 season with a repeat Wild Card appearance. Last year, they beat the Rangers in the one game playoff elimination, but fell to the Yankees in the ALDS. Chris Davis has had a phenomenal year for the O’s with his 51 home runs, .290 average, and 134 RBI. Baltimore is one games back in the Wild Card, and will have a chance to gain a lot of ground this weekend as they play the Rays in Tampa. The O’s have played the Red Sox extremely well, taking the series in Boston, and by Tuesday, the Orioles could possibly be a Wild Card leader. They have the talent and have shown they’ve come to play. They finish the season at home against the Blue Jays and Red Sox. They beat the division leader, now they need to beat the Wild Card leaders and finish the season strong.
7. Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers will again miss out on winning the AL West this year, but unlike last year where they were guaranteed a playoff spot, they find themselves battling to play some October baseball. They’ve been losing crucial games and series lately, leading them to lose their Wild Card spot. They haven’t been playing well at all recently and they have a tough schedule remaining with the Royals, Astros, and the Angels who have been playing well. If they continue to lose, and play poorly, their playoff hopes will dwindle as they already look like some confidence has been shot. There is a very good possibility that the Rangers will be watching the postseason from home.
8. New York Yankees
Well, not too long ago, there seemed to be little hope for the Yankees making the postseason, now it’s a possibility. The Yanks are three games out and will need some help along the way, but anything’s possible in baseball. They will host the Giants, which should be an easy series for them, then the Rays will be in New York for three. If the Yankees are able to take that series they just may make the playoffs as they finish the year in Houston playing the Astros. This team has suffered a lot of injuries, and while they are the Yankees, even if they do make the postseason, they won’t go far. Like the Indians, it’s very doubtful they move passed the one game elimination.
9. Kansas City Royals
The Royals are also two and a half back in the Wild Card and will have an opportunity to gain some ground. The Royals will host the Rangers for three games starting Friday night in what is a huge series for them. Kansas City has surprised this year, but do they really have what it takes to compete against the big teams? Not yet. They’ve made improvements and strides, but there are some teams in the hunt that have better rosters and a better chance at not only making the postseason, but contending in the postseason.
Overall, the last week or so of the season will have some crucial match-ups and intense play. It’s always fun to see teams celebrate clinching a playoff berth or division title with their teammates and some champagne. October baseball is right around the corner, and what a postseason it will be.