MLB Playoff Picture

The Playoffs are nearing with only two weeks left in the Baseball season before we can see if we can find a new Mr. October. There are some interesting races going on right now for the Divisions in a few, one being the AL East, then the NL East, and the NL West. You also have a tight race for the NL wildcard.

AL East

It has been a fight all year between New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays? Who would of thought nearing playoffs that the Rays and not the Red Sox would be fighting for the division. It has been a close race all year long with the Yankees leading it most the way, there has been a few games were Rays took over the division just to give it back the very next day. The 3 game series being played now will more than most likely determine the winner of this division. Yankees took the first game to pad their lead to 1.5 games, but with two games left to play Tampa could take the lead. Yankees having the best home record in MLB, I don’t see them losing two in a row, they split the next two games and Yankees keep their 1.5 game lead. With Yankees still having 3 game series against the Red Sox and the Blue Jays, and Tampa playing the Mariners and Orioles and a make-up game against Kansas City the Rays have the easier road to the division. Whoever wins the division the other team will sure to win the wildcard and both teams will make playoffs.

NL East

The Atlanta Braves have lead the division pretty much all year it seems, with Philadelphia having injury after injury to their team, but they get mostly healthy and all of a sudden the Phillies have a 4 game lead over the braves. They still have 2 more games left in their series and if Braves want to have a chance at the division they are both must wins. Braves also need to win to keep a head of the wildcard so should be some interesting games the next two nights. The Phillies and Braves pretty much have easy schedules to finish up, the lead is just too great and the Phillies started playing ball at right time of the year, the Phillies will win this division.

NL West

This is the most interesting of the divisions because it is a three way race. San Francisco has a .5 game lead over the Padres and a 1.5 game lead over the Rockies. Earlier this season looked like the Padres would just run away with this division but then the word “slump” took its fullest meaning against the Padres. The Giants will still have to play the Rockies in a 3 game series that could determine the division. The Padres will not have to face either team for the rest of the season. The Rockies will finish up against the Dodgers at home and a make-up game against the Cardinals. The Giants will finish up the last three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks that should give the Giants a good chance for a sweep since they are playing at home. Padres do play a 3 game series with the Reds that are division leaders right now so should be some tough games, and then finish up with a 4 game series against the Cubs that are kind of a lost team. This race should come down to the last game of the season so stay tuned to see what happens.

NL Wild Card

Currently the Atlanta Braves have a 2 game lead on the wild card with the Padres and Rockies nipping on their heels. The Braves are playing the Phillies for two more games and could give one of the two teams what they need to get in the wild card. Since the Padres and Rockies are also playing for their division you should see some great baseball from them to finish up the season. Braves have the easier schedule to finish out the season and played to great all year to not make the playoffs, so look for the Braves to take the wild card but for it to be close. Also the possibility of Braves winning the division is still there and then Phillies I believe would be the wild card winner.

Playoff Predictions

AL East: Tampa Bay Rays- Schedule is just much easier to finish up the season.

AL Central: Minnesota Twins- Have an 11 game lead on White Sox, it’s over.

AL West: Texas Rangers- 8 Game Lead it is over as well.

Wild Card: New York Yankees- Could still win the division but very dangerous team no matter if they are division winner or wildcard team.

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies- Team has turned it on when they needed to.

NL Central- Cincinnati Reds – 7 Game lead is good enough for the rest of the season

NL West- Colorado Rockies- They are 1.5 back but I think they come back to take the division.

Wild Card: Atlanta Braves- Make Playoffs for Bobby Cox’s last year.

World Series – New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Should be a great October and anything could happen, even though I do have the Yankees playing the Phillies in the World Series, don’t be surprised if a team like Texas or Tampa in the AL make a run, or the Braves or Reds in the NL. Only time will tell so till then enjoy.