As the weather starts to cool off, the race for October heats up as the MLB regular season comes to a close.
This last month is a blast because teams can expand from a 21-man roster to a 40-man roster as they try to get over the hump and make it to the postseason.
The first two games in the postseason are the two wild card games. Where, if you are unfamiliar, two teams will play one game, and the winner moves on to the divisional round.
In the American League, the New York Yankees are currently in the first wild card spot with the Minnesota Twins just three games behind. The Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers are also battling to get in as they are all within three games of the Twins for the second wild card spot.
Over in the National League, the Arizona Diamondbacks lead the Colorado Rockies by two games. Both teams from the NL West have shown the potential to make a push for October, but could not quite get over the hump in the past. The Milwaukee Brewers sit just behind them at three games back. The Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals are trailing by four and a half and five and a half games, respectively.
Over in the divisional standings, there are not as many races going on as there are for the wild card spots, but there is still much to talk about.
A race between two iconic, rival franchises is occurring in the AL East with the Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Sox currently lead the Yankees by three and a half games. The Yankees are currently leading the wild card, but both the Yankees and Red Sox are in a position that they could still miss the postseason.
In the AL Central, the Cleveland Indians lead the Twins by seven games. The defending AL Champions look to make it back to the World Series and win it after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Chicago Cubs.
In the AL West, the Houston Astros are leading the Angels by 13 games. So, it is safe to say the Astros are a lock. The Astros are back in the hunt after failing to make it to the postseason last year. The Houston ball club have a lot of talent and are looking to atone for last season’s disappointment.
Over in the NL East, the Washington Nationals are up 13 games over the Marlins. There was concern for the Nationals, as Bryce Harper suffered a bone bruise earlier this month. Thankfully for Nationals fans, it is only a bone bruise, and he will play out the season and into the postseason.
The reigning World Series champs, the Cubs, are currently two and a half games up on the Brewers in the NL Central, with the Cardinals right in the mix at just five games behind the Cubs.
Over in the NL West is where we see the best record in baseball as the Los Angeles Dodgers are 91-38. Earlier in the season, the Dodgers tied the best 50-game record with the 1912 New York Giants of 43-7. The Dodgers look to break the single season wins record currently held by the 2001 Mariners at 116-46.
Anything can happen in these last few months of baseball. Any team can either make or miss the postseason. Once there, any team can win or lose and be eliminated. So get your favorite foods and beverages and enjoy America’s favorite past time as this is where the real fun begins.