Two of the most exciting times of the year for sports fans are about to cross paths. With the MLB pennant races heating up and the opening of football season just around the corner, fans have plenty to talk about.
For now, let’s put football on hold considering two teams are tied for their division lead entering Tuesday’s games (press time.) Right now the high profile New York Yankees and Tampa Bays Rays are tied for the best record in baseball and top spot in the American League East. Both have records of 72-46 for a winning percentage of .610
Although I am not a big fan of the Yankees, it’s hard for me to root for the Rays when they draw under 20,000 a game despite being tied for first with baseball’s Goliath. Heck, the state of Arkansas could probably support a competitive MLB team in the northwest or central portion of the state better than Tampa or Miami (Florida Marlins). Arkansas would be a long shot to ever land a professional team but I know several cities in the U.S. that could support a club better than those folks down in Florida, where spring training leaves fans with an abundance of allegiances.
Also coming on strong in the AL East is Boston, a perennial contender that gets a boost this week with the return of All-Star second-baseman and former MVP Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox sit 5 ½ games back of the Yankees and Rays coming into Tuesday’s action.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Devil Rays fold and the Red Sox give the Yankees a run for their money in the East before settling for the Wild Card.
Another race all knotted up is the NL Central. Although Cincinnati (67-51) has a better winning percentage due to playing two more games, St. Louis (65-51) is tied in the loss column and just beat the Reds in a very intriguing series that included a bench-clearing “brawl” or pushing, kicking and shouting match. With Milwaukee sitting 12 ½ back, this looks like a two horse race. If history is any indication, the Cardinals will win this division going away. Their 1-2 pitching punch of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright along with an offense featuring Albert Pujols and Matt Holiday should prove lethal down the stretch.
Getting back to the AL, the Central is tightening up between two of the usual contenders. Right now, Minnesota (68-50) is hanging on to a 3 game lead over the Chicago White Sox. Since Chicago Manager Ozzie Guillen is quite possibly the most annoying person in baseball that doesn’t use steroids, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Twins, who opened a beautiful new outdoor park this season, Target Field. Thank goodness no more postseason game will be played in the Metrodome, however, it could get a little chilly if Minnesota advances deep into October.
Moving to the AL West, where the historically mediocre Texas Rangers (67-50) hold first place by 8 games over second-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I’m not a huge fan of the Rangers but thought it was a nice gesture when Nolan Ryan and company recently bought the team and immediately slashed prices ranging from parking to beer. Although this race figures to tighten up down the stretch, I hope the Rangers can hold on, if for no other reason, what kind of name is Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?
The NL has two more tight races in the East and West. The surprising Atlanta Braves (69-49) are sitting 2 ½ games ahead of Philadelphia, who has represented the league in the past two World Series while winning a title in 2008. The Phillies are hoping for the return of superstar second baseman Chase Utley, who has missed the past seven weeks, and power hitting first baseman Ryan Howard this week. Those two left-handed power bats could lead Philadelphia past the young but talented Braves, however, the loser could stay in line for a Wild Card Spot.
Speaking of surprising, no team has been more of a shock than the San Diego Padres, who lead the NL with a record of 70-47, which is good for a 4 game lead over San Francisco. The Padres have a huge park that helps its pitching staff and they generate just enough offense to win. The Giants and even Colorado Rockies (9 games back) seem to have a better roster on paper, but that doesn’t always count.
I suspect the Giants and Padres to slip a little down the stretch, creating a good race while opening up the Wild Card spot for the second-place team in the East or Central.
When the races are this tight in mid-August, it sure is fun to speculate.
Here are my four predicted playoff contenders from each division and wild card starting with NL: St. Louis (Central), Philadelphia (East), San Francisco (West) and Atlanta (Wild Card). AL: NY Yankees (East), Minnesota (Central), Texas (West) and Boston (Wild Card). My predicted World Series features St. Louis versus the Yankees with the Cardinals prevailing in seven games.
(Will Gilbert is sports editor for The Sun-Times. Send comments to sports@thesuntimes.com)
