August 23, 2017
You often hear managers and coaches say if we stay healthy we
can compete for a championship. Injuries are just part of the game. Who’s to
say if the Cubs would have beaten the Indians if Cleveland’s number two and three
starters were available?
Heading into September it seems with the exception of the
American League wild card, all the playoff teams are set. Let’s look at injuries
that have occurred and may not be resolved by playoff time.
In the American
League many thought Boston had a good shot with their top three starting
pitchers. Porcello is now the same ordinary pitcher he was prior to last year.
David Price has been more out of than in the rotation. Chris Sale is the only
pitcher you count on. Their saving grace is they can hit and score loads of
runs.
Houston has managed to dominate their division despite a
rash of injuries. Ace Dallas Keuchel has
been on the 10 day disabled list three times. Pitcher McCullers is currently on
DL. They lost their first and second string catchers for a stretch but McCann
is back. All-Star shortstop Carlos
Correa has been out for a long time and is also currently on the DL. Houston if healthy…
Cleveland has remained relatively healthy. What matters most
is they can score enough runs for a great starting rotation. However, with
Andrew Miller on the DL the bull pen is not as strong as it could be. When he
is healthy it is the best in baseball.
In the National League the Dodgers have the best record in
baseball without staff ace Clayton Kershaw. He should return and make the Dodgers the favorites to reach the World Series.
The Nationals are also dominating their division. They may
have the most serious injury problems. Their best player, Bryce Harper, is
currently on the DL and the Nats are hoping he can be back for the post season. Stephen
Strasburg had a successful return from the DL. Then their number one, Matt Scherzer, goes on the DL. They need their full complement of pitchers to have a chance of
beating the Dodgers.
The real question is will the players currently on the DL be as
good as they were before they got hurt?
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs also have been stung by injuries.
Their hottest hitter since the All Star break, Wilson Contreras, is currently
slated to be out until the middle of September, How good does the Quintana
trade look with Lester on the DL? Despite how bad Lester had been going he still is the number one post season pitcher. The standings say the Cubs are 2 ½ games up.
However, they are 4 up in the loss column. With the Brewers playing like the real
Brewers and the once hot Cardinals fading, no one will catch the Cubs.
Especially now as the Cubs are playing the woeful Reds and then have 3 games
against the more woeful Phillies.
Chicago
White Sox - Why keep watching such a lousy team? Abreu is having another great
season. Avi Garcia is among the top average hitters. Carlos Rodan is showing why he
will be the backbone of the starting rotation for years to come. These are the
only 3 veterans who will be with the team when the rebuild is fully in place.
You can also watch the future starting rotation, although they not be quite ready. You
may be better off watching the Bears.
