With just over two weeks left in the season, there are many questions left. Injuries as usual have been a major story this year. A mantra in sports is if we stay healthy we will be in good shape.
In the American league we now know who will be in the playoffs and who have had injury worries.
The Boston Red Sox – This team has the best record in baseball. There is not a weakness in its lineup. J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts are MVP candidates. The biggest problem is ace starter. Chris Sale has been on the disabled list most of the second he half of the season and may not be ready to pitch in the playoffs. Even if he makes it back, you do not know if he will as good as he was prior to the injury.
The New York Yankees – In what was supposed to be a tight pennant race, Boston dominated, leaving the team with the second best record as a wild card entry. It didn’t help that major injuries sidelined Gary Sanchez early and home run champ Aaron Judge hasn’t swung a bat since late June. The bullpen is good but after you throw your best starter to get through the wild card playoff into the first round, the rest of the staff is mediocre at best. The bullpen, though, is very good.
The Cleveland Indians – In the lousiest division in baseball. The Indians have led from start to finish. However, that does not diminish how good they are. They have the best left side of the infield. Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez are both near the top in all AL offensive categories. They have a good bullpen. The starting pitching has been good. Their problem is the number 2 starter Trevor Bauer has been on the disabled list for much of the second half
The Houston Astros – the defending champs are positioned to play in the World Series again. They went into a little slump when Jose Altuve was on the DL. With shortstop Alex Correa, this is best double –play combination. Their starting rotation is the best in the game, the relief is solid and they have no significant injuries. They say it is difficult to win the World Series two years in a row, but this is my favorite.
The Oakland Athletics – The surprise team of the year. Manager Bob Melvin has done a great job getting his players believing they can win. Khris Davis leads the league with 41 home runs. The A’s rank second only to the Yankees in total home runs. However, they lack in quality pitching.
The National League picture is a little murkier, with only one clear- cut division, while the other two division winners and wild card teams are unknown.
The Atlanta Braves – This team has been a surprise. I haven’t seen them much, but here is what I know. The starting lineup includes probable rookie of the year Renaldo Acuno Jr. who leads the team in home runs. One of the best first basemen Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis add more punch to the lineup. Their young pitching staff has a 3.69 ERA. A fielding percentage of .986 really helps a young pitching staff.
The Colorado Rockies - The Rockies always hit. They have scored 698 runs in the high altitude of Colorado’s Coors Field. Trevor Story and MVP candidate Nolan Aranado have combined for 67 home runs. On the other hand, pitching is very difficult at Coors Field. A couple of starters have good ERAs but the bullpen is a mess. The Rockies team ERA is 4.79 and they have a slim lead on the Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Generally not known for their hitting, the Dodgers have scored 699 runs, one more than the Rockies. Out of Nowhere, Max Muncy and a rejuvenated Matt Kemp have been leading this team. The addition of Manny Machado makes this a better team than the one in last year’s World Series. As usual, the Dodgers have great pitching. Clayton Kershaw leads the pitching staff with a league- best 3.49 ERA. I think they will overtake the Rockies and go deep in the playoffs.
The Chicago Cubs - Beset by injuries, I still believe they will win this division. Both of their closers are most likely lost for the year but someone will step up. Jason Hayward is having his best year with the Cubs and left- handed hitter Kyle Schwarber is also banged up. On the brighter side, Kris Bryant is back. They also have MVP candidate Javier Baez. Although the bats sometimes go cold, the best starting pitching in the National League can win games.
The Milwaukee Brewers- After previously falling by the wayside, the Brewers have the pressure on the Cubs. I don’t think they win enough to catch the Cubs. They should be good enough a wild card they may get in. if so they will play the Cubs in the first round. This Brewers team is much better than last year due to some great moves acquiring Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich What they lack is starting pitching. However, they get a lead after 6 innings the bullpen can shut you down. I’ve said it before, Josh Hader is the best reliever in baseball.
The St. Louis Cardinals would have to have a lot of good things happen to be a wild card team. I doubt they’ll force me to talk about it in the next post regarding baseball.
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