As the major league baseball season enters into its final two months of the season the playoff picture begins to become a little clearer. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. With only the Phillies holding a commanding lead in their division many teams are trying to do whatever it takes to keep their lead or tear away at the first place teams lead.
So here is a few quick things to watch for in each of the 6 division races.
AL East
* With the Yankees and RedSox tied for first the key to this race is going to be starting pitching. The RedSox had to go out and get the often injured, but good when he is healthy, Erik Bedard. The Yankees on the other hand have been relying on the continued resurgence of Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon.
* This race may come down to something as simple as to who wants it more. Both teams will make the playoffs, one as the division leader and the other as the Wild Card, so it just depends on which manager is willing to risk more during the regular season.
My pick: Boston Red Sox to win the division and the Yankees to take the Wild Card.
AL Central
* Is Cleveland for real or is their run going to come to an end. The Indians are a young team that has shown a great deal of potential but will that potential carry them far enough to surpass the Detroit Tigers? If any one player can influence this race it might be Ubaldo Jimenez.
* Neither team has to face the Yankees or RedSox from this point on, and neither faces a real tough schedule outside of division games so the head to head games between these two teams may make all the difference.
My pick: Cleveland Indians
AL West
* The Rangers win because they have a great offense, the Angels win because of their great pitching. So which will win out this season? I know pitching wins in the playoffs but this isn’t the playoffs and any time you can put a lineup like the Rangers have together, its not going to be fun for any opposing team. Not that facing Weaver or Haren has been much fun for Angel’s opponents.
* The biggest road block for the Rangers is going to be health. If this team stays healthy they should keep their lead, if they don’t the door is wide open for the Angels.
My pick: Texas Rangers
NL East
* This race is the Phillies to win or lose. With an 8.5 game lead, and a pitching staff that can make any offense look silly, the Phillies just need to keep doing what they are doing. The adjustment of Hunter Pence into this lineup will be important though as the team prepares for the playoffs.
* Not all hope is lost for the Braves though. With a 2.5 game lead in the Wild Card this team just needs to make sure it gives their pitching staff enough offense to get them into the playoffs. Once they get there, beware they could be this years Giants.
My pick: Phillies to take the division and the Braves to take the Wild Card.
NL Central
* With the Pirates going 1-9 in their last 10 games they have quickly fallen out of the race leaving only the Cardinals and Brewers. The only way the Cardinals will catch the Brewers is if The Machine Albert Pujols puts the team on his back and takes them to the playoffs. Although he has done it before I just think the Brewers may be too much this season.
* The pressure on the starting pitchers of the Brewers is going to be something that they haven’t really experienced in their careers. Marcum played in the AL East where although regular season games can feel like playoff games, its still not the same. And Grienke who never even dreamed of making the playoffs with the Royals.
My pick: The Brewers hold on and Albert Pujols plays his final game as a Cardinal.
NL West
* Anyone who wondered if the Diamondbacks are for real can put those questions to rest because this team has been with the Giants every step of the way. Like most teams the starting pitching is going to determine how this team does. Will Kennedy and Hudson be able to keep their solid season going all the way to the end?
* For the Giants the one big question is Carlos Beltran. Will his acquisition be enough to help the offense get going or is the team going to have to fully rely on the pitching staff. Even great pitching can’t win games if their offense doesn’t score runs.
My pick: I’m picking the Giants simply because they are the defending champion and until they get knocked off they are still the top dog.
Other things to watch for
* When the September call up occur the Mariners may end up having one of the youngest starting lineups in baseball.
* A lot of teams that are out of the running can still have an impact on the races by how they play and who they play in the final weeks of the season.