This should be the time of year when teams at the top are making a serious push to show the pretenders who is boss. It's not exactly working out that way in 4 of the 6 divisions in all of baseball.
While the Yankees are trying to make a run at Boston, both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Over in the AL west, both the Mariners and Angels of Lower Unkton (bonus points if you can tell me what TV show I stole that from) are both 6-4 in their last 10, with the A's sliding back just a bit going 4-6 in their last 10.
In the other 4 divisions, things could get very interesting down the stretch, where teams are jockeying for position either by keeping pace, or barely treading water.
AL Central...
The Tigers were a favorite for not only the AL pennant, but a World Series championship at the beginning of the season. In their last 10 games, they're 2-8, and now sit a half game behind the Indians (as of the latest standings here on foxsports.com I have in front of me). Meanwhile, the Indians aren't so hot either, going 4-6 in their last 10.
If these teams aren't careful, the Twins could find their way back into the race come September with a nice streak in the next couple weeks.
NL East...
Who wants this one? The Mets were another favorite for a shot at the WS before the season, but are starting to feel the heat from both the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
Do the Braves have one more division title in them before the last of their 15 straight division winners move on? Andruw Jones is likely on his way out after this season, John Smoltz isn't getting any younger, Chipper Jones isn't getting any healthier, and Bobby Cox might not have any motivation left after setting the record for career ejections. They made a couple moves at the deadline that give me the impression that's exactly what they're doing. Making one last run before everyone goes their seperate ways.
The Phillies suffered a blow to their chances when Chase Utley broke his hand, but if they can stay close until he gets back, he could be the spark they need down the stretch.
NL Central...
Did anyone (besides crazy Cubs fans) think this was going to be a race at all around the middle of May? My how the mighty have fallen. They're 32-33 since Ryan Braun was called up, and probably wouldn't be that good if not for him. The kid is a monster with the bat. Too bad for him the pitching has been awful, the defense sketchy at best, and the offense inconsistent.
The Cubs are right on their heels, but may finally be coming back to Earth after playing out of their minds since Lou Piniella threw a temper tantrum back in early June. They're only 5-5 in their last 10, but the Brewers are 3-7, giving them more reason to believe the division is theirs for the taking.
The Cardinals were all but dead until they took 3 out of 4 from Milwaukee, all in comeback fashion. They're 7 games out, but can you count out the defending champs in early August? I'll give them a couple more weeks, and see if the Brewers and/or Cubs can open this thing up a little more before I read their last rights.
NL West...
How about them D-backs? A month ago this was between the Dodgers and Padres, with Arizona looking up at both of them. After going 8-2 in their last 10, they are now in 1st place all alone, 2 games up on the Padres and 4 up on the Dodgers. Even the Rockies (believe it or not) are still within striking distance 5 games back.
Who should we put our money on down the stretch?
NL
I'm going to go out on a limb and take the Dodgers out west. The D-backs might be a year away, and the Padres roster is filled with platoon guys, utility men and bench players. Their pitching is rock solid, but they'll have to be near perfect with not much offense to support them.
In the central, I still think Milwaukee will figure it out soon and get back on the winning track. If not, can the Cubs really keep playing at this level for the rest of the season?
The Mets are the team to beat in the east, and I think they will win it. If Pedro does make it back and has anything positive to give them down the stretch, they should keep the Braves down for the 2nd year in a row.
the Braves get the nod for Wildcard though with the additions they made at the deadline.
AL
The east is Boson's to lose. The Yankees have been playing much better of late, but they've still got 7 games to go, and I just don't think they have enough time to get it done.
In the central, the Tigers have the experience and the talent to take it. The big question is the pitching, with 2 starters on the DL right now. Put a patch on that, and I think their offense can make up for a bad pitching performance now and then.
The Angels should take the west. Too much talent not to. But I've been wrong before.
Cleveland gets the nod for Wildcard, just edging out the Yankees.
I think if Arizona makes the playoffs, they're going all the way. However, I think they'll fall back to the pack. No one will run away with the division.
I think the Yankees will flame out after Labor Day.
If the Twins can get their pitching together, they win the AL Central. Would you as a pitcher like to face their lineup? Or the Indians' lineup?
The Mariners aren't going away. They'll stay in it until the final weekend of the season.
The Cardinals are DONE. When you get swept by the NATS, something is seriously amiss. Time for La Russa to blow up the roster and start anew (Keep Pujols and maybe a couple of others).
The Cubs might have enough to win the NL Central but be one and done in the playoffs.
The Braves WILL make one last run and win the NL East; then they'll have several years of mediocrity facing them.
The Brewers have some how managed to throw away the big lead they had over the Cubs. And the Cubs have finally come back down to earth and started to play bad again. That being said, the NL Central does not deserve to have a team represent the playoffs. I'm not the only one who thinks that.
AL East-I would love to see the Yankees win the division, but if they don't they will win the wild card. The Yankees will make the playoffs, one way or another.
AL Central-right now it's a toss up between the Tigers and Indians. If the Twins pick it up, it could be a very close finish.
NL West-I'm not so sure about that one.
NL East-I'll say the Mets will win that and for the wild card I'd give it to the Braves.
I'm here because I have too much time on my hands. Spending my time in bars just isn't all that appealing. I can't say spending my money there, or on gas, really gets me pumped up either.
Question: Why do we have the option of choosing "undeclared" for our marital status? Is this some underground swingers hook-up site or something? Better yet, why is our marital status even relevent?
