Behind a strong pitching performance from Derek Lowe and some offensive help from Freddie Freeman, the Braves finished off the sweep against the Seattle Mariners 5-3. Even after beating the likes of Erik Bedard, Michael Pineda, and Felix Hernandez, the Braves virtually gained no ground on the Phillies in the NL East, and it got me to thinking about playoff pictures. It’s too early to take these too seriously, but exactly halfway through the season, it’s a nice time to take a look back and ahead.
The Phillies lead all of baseball with a 51-30 record, and the Braves, with a 47-35 record, are 4.5 back. The Mets are the only other team within 10 games, and that’s just barely at 9.5 back. Essentially, it’s down to the Braves and the Phillies here.
The AL East is a bit more crowded. The Yankees lead with a 47-31 record, but they’re just 2.5 up on Boston and 3.5 up on Tampa Bay. Toronto is within 8.5, but they would have to overcome two of those teams to even have a chance at the Wild Card. It’ll be an interesting second half here.
The NL Central has our first surprise division leader with Milwaukee sitting a game up on St. Louis at 44-37. Cincinnati isn’t too far back at 2.5 games, but it’s Pittsburgh just 3 back in the standings that has Pittsburgh a bit more excited than usual this time of year. I expect the other three to put the Pirates further in the rearview mirror by season’s end, but I’m pulling for the Pirates to make a run of it.
In the AL Central, no one seems to want the division. Cleveland steamrolled its way to an early-season lead before giving way in June. Detroit is now tied for the division lead with the White Sox 4 back. Minnesota and KC are 8 and 10 back, which seems like a lot but could be surmountable with a hot second half. I expect it to be more of a race between the Sox and Tigers.
The World Series champion Giants sit atop the NL West at 46-35, but the Diamondbacks are just 2.5 back with their surprising play. Injuries and offensive woes make that lead more precarious than it already is for the Giants, but they have the pitching staff to make it stick. And, of course, the always-lurking Rockies are 6.5 back and ready for another second-half push.
The AL West is close from top to bottom. The Rangers hold a 1.5 game lead over the Angels, but the Mariners are just 4 games back with the A’s just 7 back. Most get the feeling that the A’s and Mariners aren’t real contenders, but the Rangers and Angels have serious weaknesses themselves.
The NL Wild Card is Atlanta’s to lose with a 3-game lead, but Arizona and St. Louis are just 3 or 3.5 back. Everyone else is more than 5 back.
Boston leads the AL Wild Card, but it’s only by one game over the Rays. Cleveland and Detroit (tied for the AL Central) are 3 back with the Angels 4.5 back. I don’t expect any of those teams to challenge the AL East teams, but weirder things have happened.
Last Night’s Games: Here.
Tonight’s Matchups: Here.
