By Josh:
Football season is here and you know what that means, the final run for the playoffs is upon us and playoff baseball is just around the corner. I know a lot of crazy people out there are so excited that they get to watch their favorite NFL team play once a week. I personally get far more excited with the fact that I can watch my favorite MLB team play just about every day.
Enough with football let’s look at how the playoffs are shaping up.
NL East
The Washington Nationals are looking like one of the best, if not the best team in all of baseball right now. All of the hype of last year being their year may have just simply been a year to soon. This team is not someone I would want to face at any point in the playoffs.
NL Central
Even though the Cardinals are leading this division it is still a three team race and far from being decided. The biggest surprise of this three team race is that it includes the Brewers and not the Reds. I look for the Cardinals to take this division in the end but they are going to have to earn it this final month of the season.
NL West
In a near repeat of last season the Dodgers went from being a bottom dweller to storming back into first place. The one difference is the Giants haven’t fallen as bad this year. I give the edge to the Dodgers in this final month simply because I can’t pick against a team with Clayton Kershaw pitching the way he is but the rest of the Dodgers better step it up if they want to hold onto their narrow two game lead.
NL Wild Card
Here is where things get interesting. There are four teams within of 2 games of each other for both Wild Card spots. Giants and Brewers are tied in the lead but the Braves and Pirates are just a step away from taking a spot. I am leaning towards the Giants and Braves taking the two Wild Cards but the Pirates aren’t a team I would overlook.
AL East
Baltimore has the largest lead in any division in baseball right now with a 9.5 game lead on the Yankees. The Orioles are not going to be denied a post season spot this year and watch out, with their offense they might just make a run at a larger prize.
AL Central
Can I just say I am tired of the Detroit Tigers making the playoffs. They are kind of boring to watch. I wish someone would knock them out in the Central already…. Oh wait the Royals are a game and a half up on the Tigers. A lot of people including myself have been waiting for the Royals to finally make a run for the playoffs and this just might be that year. I’m not counting out the Tigers though. They are not just going to settle for a Wild Card spot, especially since they may fall out of the Wild Card if they aren’t careful.
AL West
The Oakland A’s are the best team in baseball. At least they were before the Angels just destroyed them recently in a three game series. Now Oakland is just fighting to stay in the playoffs all together. Mike Trout is leading the Angels to the playoffs and I know a lot of people in baseball are excited to see how the future of the MLB will rise to the occasion.
AL Wild Card
The A’s and Tigers are holding onto the two Wild Card Spots but those pesky Mariners just won’t go away. They are only half a game behind the Tigers and are starting to show signs of life again after a rough stretch. Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano may just single handedly propel the Mariners into the post season. My picks for the AL Wild Card are the A’s and Mariners where Lester and Felix will face off once again.