The All-Star Game is over, the second half of the season is just around the corner. Time to take a look at the state of the league. What about the divisions, who still has hopes for the wildcards and what happens until the trade deadline? SPOX provides possible answers.
The situation in the American League East is quite clear, as both the Red Sox and the Yankees are well on their way to the playoffs. If you believe FanGraphs, the probability that both will make it into the playoffs is a slim 100 percent!
The order in which this happens, i.e. who wins the division and who therefore has to enter the unloved wildcard game, is still quite open. The Red Sox lead after an unbelievably constant first half of the season with 4 ½ games ahead of their arch-rivals, but who still has a few catch-up games on his agenda.
All in all, we can look forward to a breathtaking final spurt, especially as both teams still play ten more matches (the match on August 4 shows SPOX in the LIVESTREAM FOR FREE). Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres will soon be back with the Yankees and Pitcher Drew Pomeranz, Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright with the Red Sox. In addition, both plan to strengthen their position in the trading market.
Actually the fair seemed to have already been read in the Central Division of the AL, but then something surprising happened on the way to the All-Star Break: The Indians started to weaken and the Twins suddenly started fire. Up to the break Max Kepler and Co. won eight of their last ten games and shortened the gap to Cleveland to “only” 7 ½ games.
That’s still a lot of wood, but the twins showed last year that they shouldn’t be written off prematurely. At that time, they started a furious chase to catch up in the second half and sensationally got another wildcard – despite some attempts at a firesale, mind you.
One should not forget, however, that the Indians are expecting their “fixer”, top relief artist Andrew Miller, back soon. His retirement played a major role in the problems of the Indians, who are currently extremely weak in the bullpen. Miller’s return should be an enormous boost.
Nothing new in the West: The Houston Astros are gradually running away from the competition. There were now five games on the Mariners, but the lead will tend to increase, the champions appear too good compared to the direct competition.
It is remarkable, however, that the West is the only division in the American League that has four teams with positive scores. A situation from which the Angels, with their 14 games behind, can’t buy much.
As already mentioned, there will be no way around the Yankees, they are already too comfortable in front. Behind it, however, much is possible. The Mariners are currently taking their second wildcard, but the A’s are breathing down their necks. The Rays and Angels are theoretically still there, but the main focus should be on Oakland, after all they still play ten more times against the M’s, so they are best able to actively intervene in the race.
The Rays are remarkable in that they stay close to the wildcard, although their offense often lets them down. For the Angels, the reason for hope is Shohei Ohtani, who will probably only intervene as a hitter. What is problematic, however, is the fact that many good starting pitcher are injured and will not return.
Page 1: Playoff races in the American League
Page 2: Playoff races in the National League
Page 3: Situation before the Non-Waiver Trade Deadline