(Courtesy St Louis Post-Dispatch)
For those following the blog previously I apologize for the inactivity. I plan to write posts more frequently during the final months of the season and beyond.
As we reach mid-August, with the end of the regular season drawing near, the races in the American and National Leagues are as heated as ever. Today, we’ll take a look at the National League. In the National League, the top 8 teams are currently separated by only 6 games, with the top 7 teams only being separated by 4 games. That should make for great races not only for the division but for the Wild Card, and inspired many trades before the deadline just two weeks ago.
With no clear cut favorite this year in the National League, it will come down to what team catches fire at the most opportune time. The Washington Nationals have one of the most talented rosters and currently lead the NL East by four games, and thus should be considered favorites to at least reach the postseason; however, nobody should count out the Braves, who despite their recent losing streak of eight games have a talented lineup and could catch fire at any point.
NL East
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
STRK
|
|
Nationals
|
63
|
53
|
.543
|
–
|
34-24
|
29-29
|
5-5
|
L1
|
|
Braves
|
60
|
58
|
.508
|
4.0
|
33-26
|
27-32
|
2-8
|
L1
|
|
Marlins
|
58
|
60
|
.492
|
6.0
|
32-28
|
26-32
|
5-5
|
W1
|
|
Mets
|
57
|
62
|
.479
|
7.5
|
28-27
|
29-35
|
5-5
|
W1
|
|
Phillies
|
53
|
66
|
.445
|
11.5
|
26-36
|
27-30
|
5-5
|
L1
|
In the NL Central, the Brewers have been on top of the division for nearly the entire season. Every time they have faltered, they have found a way to get back on track before they lose the lead. The Pirates have come on strong in recent weeks, and with a young talented team hungry to improve upon last year’s first round playoff exit, should push the Brewers to the finish. In third are the Cardinals, who have been maddeningly inconsistent all season. Injuries to Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia forced the team to make trades at the deadline for pitchers Justin Masterson and John Lackey. Masterson has struggled in his first two starts for the team after spending time on the disabled list prior to the trade. Lackey has had mixed results, with a great first start against the Brewers, and a horrendous start against the Orioles in which he gave up nine runs over five innings and nearly every fastball he threw was hit hard. The offense has struggled all season long, and giving prospect Oscar Taveras the starting job in Right Field after trading the struggling Allen Craig has so far not paid off. In order for the Cardinals to play in October again, improved results from Taveras and the recent trade acquisitions is critical.
NL Central
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
STRK
|
|
Brewers
|
66
|
53
|
.555
|
–
|
34-28
|
32-25
|
6-4
|
W1
|
|
Pirates
|
63
|
55
|
.534
|
2.5
|
38-24
|
25-31
|
6-4
|
W1
|
|
Cardinals
|
62
|
55
|
.530
|
3.0
|
33-25
|
29-30
|
5-5
|
L1
|
|
Reds
|
60
|
58
|
.508
|
5.5
|
32-27
|
28-31
|
6-4
|
W1
|
|
Cubs
|
50
|
67
|
.427
|
15.0
|
26-30
|
24-37
|
5-5
|
L1
|
Finally we reach the National League West. The West has been a two team race most of the season, with the Dodgers, the preseason favorite, fighting with the Giants, who seem to take odd numbered years off before playing great in even years. Lately, the Giants have struggled, opening the door for the Dodgers to build a five game lead. Will the Dodgers, arguably the most talented team in the NL, run away with the division now? Or will the Giants show the fight and persistence they were famous for in 2010 and 2012, when they won the World Series? This should be a division worth watching until the end.
NL West
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
STRK
|
|
Dodgers
|
68
|
52
|
.567
|
–
|
30-27
|
38-25
|
6-4
|
W2
|
|
Giants
|
62
|
56
|
.525
|
5.0
|
29-30
|
33-26
|
4-6
|
L4
|
|
Padres
|
55
|
62
|
.470
|
11.5
|
32-27
|
23-35
|
7-3
|
W3
|
|
Diamondbacks
|
51
|
67
|
.432
|
16.0
|
25-39
|
26-28
|
4-6
|
L1
|
|
Rockies
|
46
|
72
|
.390
|
21.0
|
28-30
|
18-42
|
2-8
|
L1
|
As you can see, even as the regular season nears the final turn, nothing has been decided. That should make for a thrilling and entertaining finale before the magic of October begins. So grab your peanuts and hot dogs and buckle up for what should be a great ride.