MLB Playoff Picture 2019

With the deadline firmly in the rear view mirror, the playoff picture is becoming more and more clear by the day, as the contenders and pretenders continue to distance themselves.

American League East

The Yankees continue to pull away in this division, as the hot bats of Gio Urshela and Mike Tauchman have given them an 9.5-game lead over the Rays and a 16-game cushion over the Red Sox. They just won 15 of their last 19 and cannot be stopped even though their starting pitching is terrible.

American League Central

Following their weekend series, the Minnesota Twins pulled away and now have a 2.5-game lead over the Indians thanks to their sweep of the Texas Rangers. But the acquisition of Yasiel Puig is already starting to pay dividends for a suddenly-resurgent Indians team that has pulled away from the rest of the moribund Central to join Minny in a dual pursuit of greatness.

American League West

It's the Houston Astros' division to lose. Not only do they have the best rotation in baseball, but a lineup of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Yordan Alvarez has them 7.5 games ahead of the second-place A's...even after Oakland just took three of four from them over the weekend.

AL Wild Card

Cleveland and Tampa Bay are leading the pack, with Oakland just 1.5 games back. The next closest team is the Boston Red Sox, who are 6.5 games out, but just aren't showing enough signs of life to truly make a run for it.

National League East

While Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, and the Atlanta Braves have a 5.5-game lead over the Washington Nationals, the Mets suddenly find themselves nine games back, after having the second-worst record in the NL just a month ago. However, they have a tough stretch of games coming up so their wild run could come to a screeching halt.

National League Central

This race is going to come down to the wire. The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are tied for the division lead, while the Brewers are just two games out. Even the Reds, who are 7.5 games out, can't be ignored; they continue to fortify, adding Freddy Galvis last week..

National League West

The Los Angeles Dodgers might as well start hanging the Division Champs banner now, as they are 18.5 games ahead of the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks on the back of an incredibly deep lineup and starting rotation.

NL Wild Card

The Nationals (leading the way by 1.5 games) and Cardinals/Cubs are currently in the playoffs, but this race is as cramped as can be. The Brewers, Mets and Phillies are all two games out, so it's going to be a wild race.