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With the regular season coming to a close, it’s time to take a look at the pennant races. Who’s in, who’s out and who will win? Here are my pennant winners along with some brief observations on each team still in the hunt.
American League
AL East
Boston Red Sox
At 90 wins the Red Sox are tied with the Indians and the Angels for the most in baseball, but their once commanding lead in the AL East is gone. After dropping six of their last 10 the Sox hold a rapidly shrinking 1.5 game lead over the surging Yankees. After a three game trip to Tampa (63-90) the Sox close out the season at home with two against Oakland and four against Minnesota. It’s time to get back to business or they will find themselves looking up at the Yankees.
New York Yankees
After trailing Boston by as much as 14.5 games in May the Yankees now find themselves 1.5 games back. The Yanks are home for three against Toronto then finish the season at Tampa Bay and Baltimore, the two worst teams in baseball. With a 12-2 mark in their last 14 the Yankees mean business. New York has won eight of their last 11 against Toronto, five of the last seven against Baltimore and six of their last nine against Tampa.
Prediction: New York Yankees
AL Central
Cleveland Indians
This race is over! The Indians have posted an 8-2 record in their last ten including a three game sweep of the Tigers to open a 7.5 game lead in the AL Central. Cleveland’s magic number is three. With six of their last nine games against Oakland (70-82) and Kansas City (65-86) they will have no trouble winning three.
Prediction: Cleveland Indians
AL West
Los Angeles Angels
Another 90 win squad, the Angels fined they are all alone atop the AL West with an 8.5 game lead over Seattle. Their magic number is 3, but with a four game home stand against Seattle they better not fall asleep at the wheel. The Angels close out the season at Texas and Oakland so even if Seattle gets the best of them this week they should have no problem winning the division in the final week.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
National League
NL East
NY Mets
A five game losing streak cut the Mets lead in the NL East to 2.5 games. After a four game trip to Florida the Mets return home to wrap up the season against Washington, St Louis and the Marlins. New York has won seven of 11 against Florida, five of the last seven against Washington and five of six against St Louis. The schedule is in their favor but they better take advantage of it or the Phillies just might catch them.
Philadelphia Phillies
With the Mets slumping, the Phillies used a six game win streak to climb right back into the NL East race. The question, with 10 games to go, is do they have what it takes to finish? With seven of their last 10 games against Washington you would think they have a chance, but the Nationals split their last four games with Philly. Then, they also have a three game stretch against Atlanta. The Braves have won eight of 15 against the Phillies, including two of the last three. Philadelphia is giving it all they have but the Mets aren’t about to roll over and die.
Prediction: NY Mets
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
Every time you count this team out they bounce back. After a tough start they shook up the roster by adding second baseman Mike Fontenot and shortstop Ryan Theriot as regulars, and moved Soriano out of center. Then there was the trade of Michael Barrett and the rampage of Lou Piniella. Done, Cubs win! Wasn’t that simple? Now with nine games to go the Cubs have a one game lead over Milwaukee and three teams under .500 on their schedule. Chicago can’t afford to fall asleep at the wheel or the Brewers will be right there to take over.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have won six of their last ten including four straight to keep pace with the Cubs, but their schedule the rest of the way out is brutal. Milwaukee travels to Atlanta for a four game series before returning home to face St Louis, and San Diego. This season the Brewers have struggled against all three. They are 1-2 against Atlanta, 0-3 versus San Diego and 5-7 against St Louis including 0-6 in their last six meetings. Right now they are still in the race, but unless the Cubs completely fold regaining the division lead is a long shot.
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
As of now the Diamondbacks have the division lead by one game over the Padres but both San Diego and Colorado are closing strong. Arizona has won two in a row and six of their last 10 but that might not be enough to hold off the competition. Arizona has the Dodgers, Pittsburgh and Colorado on tap to close out the regular season. The Diamondbacks have a combined 17-19 record against those three teams. If they want to avoid the wild card it is going to take the best ball they’ve played all season.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are charging hard at the right time. Winners of seven of their last 10 including six in a row the Padres have closed to within one of the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead. If they want to overtake the Diamondbacks they will have to make every game count. After a three game home stand against the Rockies the Padres travel to San Francisco for three before closing the season with four games at Milwaukee. Games at San Francisco and Milwaukee just might be the boost the Padres need to overtake Arizona. Against San Fran the Padres are 12-3 including eight straight, and they hold a 3-0 advantage over Milwaukee. This race is the Padres to win or lose!
Prediction: San Diego Padres
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