At the beginning of August, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs were tied for top spot in the NL Central. We begin September with the Cards leading the division by 2.5 games thanks to an 18-9 August. Despite struggling on the road, the Cubs 16-12 August is good enough for the second berth in the NL Wild Card which they lead by 3.5 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers four games back. The Brew Crew have a better shot at a WC berth as they are 6.5 games back of the Cardinals. But with their pitching not even the bat of Christian Yelich will be enough for back to back post-season appearances. The Cincinnati Reds will finish 2019 under .500 but did enjoy seeing rookie sensation Aristides Aquino hit a rookie record 14 HR in August. The Pittsburgh Pirates have won 7 of their last 10 games, but after going 13-33 following the All-Star Break it is of small consolation.
The Atlanta Braves appear poised to win back to back NL East titles as they begin September with a 5.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals who are entrenched in the top NL Wild Card berth despite a shaky bullpen. The Philadelphia Phillies' offense got a boost with the hiring of former manager Charley Manuel as hitting coach in mid-August, but it did little for their pitching which is terrible outside of Aaron Nola. The New York Mets appeared to have turned the corner starting out August 15-5 and 27-10 since the All-Star Break. But six straight losses to the Braves and Cubs at home have deflated the balloon despite back to back wins over the Phillies to end the month. But the Mets and Phillies have something to fight for unlike the Miami Marlins who are marching towards a 100 plus loss season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, on the other hand, are destined for yet another 100 win season and a 7th straight NL West title. Their magic number is 9 and should clinch in a week, maybe less. The Dodgers enjoy a 17 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks. But as mentioned earlier, the D'Backs are only 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the second WC berth. They finished August with six straight wins and victories 7 of their last 10 games. The San Francisco Giants will not be giving Bruce Bochy the sendoff for which they were hoping. After beginning August only two games back in the NL Wild Card race, an 11-16 output last month has placed them back under .500. Barring an incredible September, the San Diego Padres seem destined for their ninth consecutive losing season. The Colorado Rockies are the NL's most disappointing team. After back to back NL Wild Card berths in 2017 and 2018, they begin September 28.5 games back of the Dodgers ending August with five straight losses and defeat in 9 of their last 10 games.
Although the Minnesota Twins briefly ceded control of the AL Central to the Cleveland Indians they end August with four game lead over the Tribe on the strength of a MLB single season record for home runs. The Indians have the top berth in the AL Wild Card, but only have a half game lead over the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays. So the Indians would much rather overcome the Twins if possible. After losing 15 of 19 games after the All-Star Break, the Chicago White Sox played far better in August barely finishing under .500 for the month. This is a team to look out for in 2020. The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, will both likely lose 100 plus games this season.
Ditto for the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Toronto Blue Jays could lose 100 games, but with Bo Bichette joining the Vladimir Guerrero, Jr and Cavan Biggio party there is much more optimism north of the border. The New York Yankees won 21 out of 30 games in August and will probably do the same despite playing a majority of their games on the road this month. The Tampa Bay Rays are percentage points ahead of the Oakland A's for the second AL Wild Card berth as they try to reach the post-season for the first time since 2013. The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox have a shot at a WC berth, but their pitching will need to improve as they are 5.5 games back.
The Houston Astros end August with a 9 game lead over the Oakland A's and are likely to win their third straight AL West title. As mentioned the A's are very much in the thick of reaching a second straight AL Wild Card berth. The Texas Rangers began August at .500. They didn't end it that way. After two straight last place finishes, a .500 season would be most satisfying for the Rangers. Despite yet another MVP like season for Mike Trout, the Angels went 9-18 in August with the cloud of pitcher Tyler Skaggs' death still hanging over the club. The Angels can take comfort that they will finish ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
What will September bring? Can the Red Sox get into the AL Wild Card mix with the Tribe, Rays and A's? Are the Nats and Cubs entrenched in the NL Wild Card? Or will the D'Backs, Phillies, Brewers or Mets have something to say about it?
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