The season is dwindling down and we are finally starting to see the gaps open up. Some division races are heating up while others are starting to look like a done deal. Let’s see how they affected this week’s rankings.
(All stats via MLB.com)
The Tops:
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (87-55, 7 game lead in AL West)-
This has been the best team in baseball over the last two months, no doubt. The offense has looked mighty impressive over the last week or so and that has turned into wins. The Angels are 8-2 over their last ten games, and wouldn’t you know it? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: David Freese is heating up with the postseason brewing.
2. Baltimore Orioles (83-59, 9.5 game lead in AL East)-
You hate to call a division a forgone conclusion, but this is a forgone conclusion. For all intents and purposes, the O’s could call up the AAA team and still come out with the East Crown. They have a lot of games against the division coming up and should be able to coast into October. Nelson Cruz is a one-man wrecking crew and will be fun to watch put on a derby in the postseason.
3. Saint Louis Cardinals (79-64, 4.5 game lead in NL Central)-
Hottest team in baseball. Molina and Wacha have returned and once again the Cardinals are heating up right before October. Matt Holliday been a big key and has powered his team into first. Wainwright finally returned to Cy Young form on Sunday and this team should have no problem making noise in the playoffs.
4. Washington Nationals (80-61, 7 game lead in NL East)-
The Nats are in control of their own destiny and I must say…I believe they are the favorite in the NL. They have an extremely deep roster and the pitching matches up with anyone else in their league. Jayson Werth could be an X-factor in the coming weeks as he has a lot of postseason experience and could help propel his team into the World Series.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (81-62, 2.5 game lead in NL West)-
One word: Kershaw. This man is the reason they could be playing for keeps here in a few weeks. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he is the Cy Young favorite, and will get a significant amount of MVP votes. They’ve been fairly under the radar recently and that may not be a terrible thing. The Dodgers have the offense to compare with anyone in the National League. The NL race will be much closer than the AL and it’s honestly anyone’s race. The Dodgers just need to use their home field advantage.
Rest of the League-
6. San Francisco Giants
7. Oakland A’s
8. Kansas City Royals
9. Detroit Tigers
10. Seattle Mariners
11. Cleveland Indians
12. Pittsburgh Pirates
13. New York Yankees
14. Atlanta Braves
15. Toronto Blue Jays
16. Milwaukee Brewers
17. Miami Marlins
18. New York Mets
19. Tampa Bay Rays
20. Cincinnati Reds
21. Philadelphia Phillies
22. San Diego Padres
23. Chicago Cubs
24. Chicago White Sox
25. Minnesota Twins
26. Houston Astros
27. Boston Red Sox
28. Colorado Rockies
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
30. Texas Rangers
Thank you for reading. You can follow me on twitter @jesse_smith29. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for? GO!
(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
