For many across the pond, August is not really baseball season.Its just an excuse for NFL pre season beginning soon and a month left before the ” America’s game ” finally kicks off. As for the national pastime, it will slowly trudge towards its climax.The Home Run derby and the All star Game are over and Aaron Judge’s hot streak is now also facing similar consequences.
But as the various races across both leagues are entering a possible showdown following trade deadline, one can’t defy what’s happening in one of the traditional hot beds of close races- the NL West. Its my favourite division and for a good reason, the Dodgers play in it.What a season they are having too.They have almost roasted the race by August producing 14 game lead amidst a streak which have them winning 20 games in July and 75 by the 1st week of August. And it not like their competitors are doing that bad. Both Rockies and Cardinals are almost locks for both wild card slots having won 60 plus themselves.
Dodgers’ pitching has always been good. Alex Wood has been a sleeper fantasy pick with 12-1 record, behind Kershaw ‘s 15 wins. Kenta Maeda is 10-4 and Rich Hill at 8-4 has this rotation in a frenzy. Kershaw’s injury has him out 4-6 weeks but with the acquisition of Yu Darvish,its been bolstered further.Not to mention Kenley Jensen 28 saves second only behind Greg Holland of the Rockies.
This year the batting also looks in form.Justin Taylor leads majors with .350 plus average.Chris Taylor and Corey Seager are consistently above .300 and Bellinger’s 30 bombs to date have them outscoring opponents by miles.Yasmina Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez and even Yasiel Puig are contributing usefully as well.The division looks wrapped up, even though plenty of games left still.Dave Roberts for Manager of the year again.The Bay area fans can’t wait for the weekend’s Chiefs/Niners pre-season opener soon enough.
If LA are the “Kings” of regular season currently, their AL counterparts ruled the kingdom for most of the season topping the majors and leading their division at a canter.Jose Altuve leads the majors with his batting average. Dallas Keuchel is solid as ever with able support from Brad Peacock.Both have nine wins each.Houston also have locks on their division.The Nats are stellar as ever and it looks like pennant race in the NL will be between them and the Dodgers.Bryce Harper is strong as ever and my pick for the NL MVP. NL East once again has not much left in it.Hopefully Tebow will play later on for the dwindling Mets to spark any interest.
Onto the more juicier races which is led by AL East. New York Yankees is a name that no one outside the Bronx would have mentioned this year.Aaron Judge though with a monster rookie season that he’s having have kept them in the hunt.No doubt he is the AL MVP pick for me. Look out though, Boston were the odds to win the season and wouldn’t bet against them taking it all down in September.Chris Sale has had an awesome season so far with 13 wins.It is a very close division with Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles not too far behind.
The defending champs Chicago Cubs have had difficult start to the season. Last year they were ahead at the same point but not by much.They had 63 wins at July’s end but were boosted hugely by 22-6 run in August and a further 17 September wins took them to 103 for the season.They have a small lead over the “Brew Crew” and the long time playoff specialists Cards, but amidst a good run heading towards the clutch end.Jake Arietta, John Lackey and Jon Lester who have 26 wins between them, will be able to carry them through, even though Zach Davies and Adam Wainwright have led their rotations well.
Cubs’ losing opponents in the Fall Classic last year in seven games were Cleveland Indians.Like the Cubs, they had topped their division with an impressive 94 wins.This year , they have done similarly though its a closer race. Jose Ramirez is hitting well with support from Lonnie Chisenhall. Carlos Carrasco has a 10-4 record.With Corey Kluber (8-3 ) and Trevor Bauer (9-8), they might have just enough to pip out Jason Vargas and the Kansas City Royals for the division though the Royals are in contention for the second wild card spot behind Yankees in the AL. That wild card should be an interesting fight as well. Seattle Mariners are within distance alongside Yankees division rivals O’s and Rays. A lot to look out for in the coming two months. Having said that, who could bet against a Red Sox -Yankees pennant race again.Not me.
So 3 races almost over but 3 close ones keeps the MLB season in good ranks. The AL wild card race is much competitive still and despite the gridiron beginning in September,there’s a lot to look out for in that month baseball wise.A clutch run by any of the mentioned teams could have them raking a good advantage leading up to the October playoffs. “Play Ball” till then.
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