With the MLB Postseason nearing, we will break down both the American and National League and what’s around the corner for each contender:
American League
Back in the end of August when the New York Yankees tied the Oakland A’s for the longest winning streak this season (13 games), the smart money seemed to be on the Yankees to hold down a playoff spot and possibly overthrow the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title. However, after this past weekend, New York has lost seven of their last 10 games and have slipped right back into the chasing pack. The Boston Red Sox, who were previously trending in the opposite direction, have now lost five of their last seven games. Plagued by a Covid-19 outbreak, which has seen 12 players miss time, the Red Sox are starting to limp down the stretch and head into a pivotal three-game series with the Seattle Mariners. It won’t have escaped their notice that the surging Toronto Blue Jays have won 14 of their last 16 games, including the 22 runs slugged past the hapless Baltimore Orioles on Sunday alone.
Key Remaining Matchups
- Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners (Sept. 13–15)
- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays (Sept. 13–15)
- Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 20– 22)
- Seattle Mariners at Oakland A’s (Sept. 20–23)
- New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (Sept. 24-26)
- New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (Oct. 1-3)
- Oakland A’s at Houston Astros (Oct. 1–3)
Prediction
The Rays should be able to hold onto their AL East lead, despite close attention from the Blue Jays. The Yankees and Red Sox may end up in an elimination game that includes Gerrit Cole versus Chris Sale on the mound. The White Sox will face the Astros at home, assuming Houston will lose ground following competitive matchups with the Mariners and A’s.
National League
The headline across the National League surrounds the battle between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angles Dodgers in the NL West. The Dodgers lost starting pitcher Trevor Bauer for the season following administrative leave, but with both teams as a lock for the postseason, the race is on to avoid the one-game playoff.
The San Diego Padres continue to be tested this season, while the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St Louis Cardinals and New York Mets attempt to gain momentum as the regular season closes. The Milwaukee Brewers have the NL Central division sewn up and are quietly putting together a fearsome run of form. In the NL East, the Atlanta Braves hold a 4.5-game lead above their competition.
Key Remaining Matchups
- San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants (Sept. 13–16)
- Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants (Sept. 17–19)
- Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (Sept. 17–19)
- Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres (Sept. 24-26)
- Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves (Sept. 28–30)
- San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers (Sept. 28–30)
- New York Mets at Atlanta Braves (Oct. 1-3)
- San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants (Oct. 1-3)
Prediction
Having come out on top in recent matchups with the Giants, the Dodgers should come away with the NL West division en route to being named the top seed in the National League. The Brewers will host the Braves in the final matchup in another tight contest.
