Now that the trade deadline is over, some obvious teams are looking towards next year or the future and some teams are looking to make that final push. There are some teams that will be in contention until the end of the year and teams that will not.
Toronto Blue Jays, 18-15
The Blue Jays have been hanging in there through the entire season so far and needed to make a few moves to attempt to make that final push. The Jay’s added Robbie Ray who is now a vet to any starting rotation. I know he hasn’t had the greatest year so far, but moving to a different and having new surroundings could give him that competitive push to be the consistent starter he has been in the past. Taijuan Walker has been having a decent year but in any given start can be completely lights out. The last addition I want to point out is Jonathan Villar, which is a great pick up. Until Bo Bichette returns, Villar can be that consistent shortstop needed, and even once Bichette returns, Villar can move around the infield and still give you that consistent level of defense and offense.
New York Yankees, 19-14
It looks like the Yankees are just going to roll with what they have. Now, to the Yankees credit, they have been dealing with injuries and have been hovering around the top of the AL East all season despite the injuries. I don’t think the Yankees needed to add anything extremely significant, maybe a starting pitcher, but other than that, a healthy Yankees team is still one of the best teams in baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays, 25-11
It’s always the same thing with the Rays, no one really knows what to expect of them until you turn around and say, “Look there the Rays go again”. For what seems like many, many years the Rays are the surprising team at the top or close to the top of the AL East. The Rays are taking a page out of the Yankee book this year and just rolling with what they have. The Rays have gotten to where they are by playing the Rays style baseball, not listening to the outside world and “experts” on what they need to do and how they need to do it, but just putting the best combination of players on the field every day that gives them the best chance to win. And guess what? It’s working. It has been for years.
Minnesota Twins, 20-16
If you were to ask me at the beginning of the year, who is going to win the AL Central? My answer would have been the Twins. It’s not like they are playing terribly or inconsistent, the Twins are playing well but so are two other teams in the Central this year. Now over the last 10 games the Twins have not been playing that well but only being 2.5 games out of first and a .5 game out of the Wild Card, they can get hot at any time with the lineup they roll out there every day. If they get hot, they can easily move up in the standings quickly. The Twins also didn’t make any big moves, but this does seem to be the theme for most of the AL top contenders.
Cleveland Indians, 21-14
The Indians are sitting in the second spot in the AL Central currently but made a lot of moves before the end of the trade deadline. The biggest move was the Indians trading away Mike Clevinger to the already stacked Padres. But the Indians made changes and trades that are best for them and their possible future. The immediate need they were looking for, which is power in the middle of the lineup, is hoping to come from Josh Naylor. Naylor has not been able to really show off what he could possibly do at the plate, and it looks like the Indians are going to give him that chance.
Chicago White Sox, 22-13
In the last ten games, the White Sox have been on fire. Despite having some key injuries to the lineup and bullpen, the White Sox have been steady and just sitting at the top of the AL Central. Even with those injuries, the White Sox are sticking with the AL theme of sticking with the team they have and being comfortable with the team that runs out on the field daily. I say, why not, they are 8-2 over there last ten and getting it done not only at home but also on the road.
Houston Astros, 19-14
As of today, the Astros have one of the Wild Card spots, and they are still in the thick of it for the top spot in the AL West. The Astros and A’s have been in a stalemate for what seems like the last couple weeks and neither team is making a huge move up or down in the standings. The Astros also didn’t make any major moves and will try to make their last push to the playoffs with what they have. At home, like normal the Astros are pretty dominant, but on the road there has been their struggle. Now with that said when it comes to the playoffs having to go on the road because you don’t have that Home Field Advantage will be the biggest struggle for the Astros.
Oakland Athletics, 22-12
The Athletics sit at the top of the standings in the AL West, which I think most people knew the Athletics were going to be good, but they are really showing what they can do. Posting winning records at home and on the road this year is going to be the difference of finishing first in the AL West or letting the Astros make up that 2.5 game difference. The Athletics added Mike Minor to their rotation before the trade deadline ended, which again he is another starter that doesn’t have great numbers so far this year, but a possible change of venue could turn that around. Mike Minor is a seasoned veteran that knows how to pitch and win. The Athletics are not scoring a lot of runs this year, but their pitching staff continues to hold the team together.
Playoff Predictions:
AL EAST: I do think the Rays will win the AL East, but it is because the Yankees feel like they just need to make the playoffs healthy. I still feel like the Yankees are the best team in the AL East, but they do not need to win the AL East to make a big playoff run.
AL CENTRAL: At this point in the season as long as the White Sox pitching staff stays strong and Moncada comes back healthy they will be the team to beat in the AL Central. But I also would not be surprised if the Twins get hot and make a run at the top spot.
AL WEST: The AL West to me is still up for grabs between the Athletics and Astros. I will go on record saying I think the Athletics will end up in that top spot in the AL West, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the two teams flip spots, but both will get into the playoffs.
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