To paraphrase Yogi Berra is it a case of Deja Vu all over again for the Washington Nationals.
In May 2019, the Nats were 19-31 and 10 games back in the NL East. After May 23rd, the Nats went 74-38 earning a NL Wild Card berth en route to their first World Series title in franchise history.
The Nats began May 2021 in last place in the NL East seven games back of the New York Mets. But after a 19-9 June (including wins in 13 of their last 16 games), Washington is only two games out of the top spot in the NL East. Perhaps the biggest factor the Nats' recent success has been ex-Cub Kyle Schwarber who has slammed 16 HR in his last 18 games.
But with a powerhouse NL West (more on them shortly), the Nats will likely have to win the division to reach the post-season this time around and the Mets aren't rolling over and playing dead. Although both the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies have underachieved in 2021 they are only 4 1/2 and 5 games back, respectively. And let's not count out the Miami Marlins. If the Nats can climb back into contention 7 games back then why couldn't the Marlins rise to the surface 8 1/2 games back?
The Milwaukee Brewers have built up the biggest divisional lead in all of MLB on the strength of ending the month with 8 straight wins including a sweep of the Chicago Cubs who have dropped six straight. The Brewers own a 6 game lead over the Cubs with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds both 8 games back of the Brew Crew. While the Reds have given themselves a fighting chance, the Cardinals fell from grace with a 10-17 June which was only marginally better than the Pittsburgh Pirates' 9-17 mark last month. The Redbirds' less than stellar offense has fed rumors of Nolan Arenado opting out of his multi-year contract after this season.
The San Francisco Giants continue to own MLB's best record. However, a three game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers but the defending World Series champions only 1 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West. The third place San Diego Padres are only 2 1/2 games back having finished June winning 9 of their last 10 games. There's a very good chance all three teams will end up in the post-season although the question remains if the Giants can remain on top. The same cannot be said for the Colorado Rockies. Although 17 games back of the Giants, they are 12 1/2 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks whose 3-24 record in June was even worse than their 5-23 effort in May. A 17-game losing streak along with a 24-game road losing streak which dated back to late April render the D'Backs only marginally better than the 1962 New York Mets. They could get worse. After winning 14 games in April, Arizona has had only 8 wins in the last two months.
Moving over to the American League, the Boston Red Sox have retaken control of the AL East owning a 3 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays who fell back to earth in June after a 23-6 May. The Toronto Blue Jays are 7 1/2 games back and a full game ahead of the New York Yankees who are only a game above .500. With the way Yankees fans are carrying on about wanting Aaron Boone fired you would think the team had a 27-54 record like the last place Baltimore Orioles.
The Chicago White Sox maintain a four game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. Although the Detroit Tigers are 12 games off the pace they have enjoyed back to back winning months and finished June winning 7 out of 10. Josh Donaldson picking fights with Gerrit Cole and Lucas Giolito does little to distract from the fact they are 13 1/2 games out of first place. The Twins can take pride they are no longer in the AL Central's cellar. After a 15-9 April, the Kansas City Royals went 11-17 in May on the weakness of an 11-game losing streak. While managing to get three games above .500 by June 4th, the Royals have gone 4-20 since ending the month with eight straight losses. The Royals have turned into jesters.
The Houston Astros cling to a half game lead over the Oakland A's in the AL West. After an 11-game winning streak, the Astros lost five of their last six to the Tigers and Orioles. This race could go to the wire. The Seattle Mariners are hanging in there six games off the pace but will need to surge if they hope to reach the post-season for the first time in 20 years. The Los Angeles Angels continue to underachieve but Shohei Ohtani's league leading 28 HRs have helped soften the blow of Mike Trout's calf injury which saw him recently transferred to the 60-day disabled list. I just wish the Angels would stop sending Ohtani out to the mound. One of these days he is going to get hurt. The closest thing the Texas Rangers have to Ohtani is Joey Gallo who has homered in five consecutive games.
We are 10 days away from the All-Star Break. Will Aaron Boone still be in the Yankees dugout? Will the Tigers make the AL Central a three team race? Can Oakland return to first place in the AL West? Can th Giants stay in first place in the NL West? Could the Brewers have a double digit lead in the NL Central? Can the Washington Nationals continue to party like it's 2019? We shall see in 10 days.
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