MLB Playoff Picture for the Week of August 5th
By Daniel Marcillo
The trade deadline has come and gone and with the postseason schedule coming out Monday, it is now a good time to take a look at the current postseason picture.
American League East
The New York Yankees are running away with the division. Despite the rash of injuries they have dealt with they have the third-best record in baseball. The Rays are the closest to the division at a distant eight games out.
The Yankees & Red Sox battled each other nine times in the Bronx this year.
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 5, 2019
New York went 8-1.
It was their most wins over Boston EVER at the current Yankee Stadium. pic.twitter.com/4LZXV8ZK1s
American League Central
This is another division which has become a two team race. The Minnesota Twins sit in first place due to their barrage of home runs this season. The Cleveland Indians sold Trevor Bauer at the deadline, but still only sit a few games out of first place.
American League West
Much like the Yankees, the Houston Astros are in firm control of their division, with the second-best record in baseball. The Oakland Athletics sit 8.5 games out of first, but pose no real threat to the Astros.
Aaron Sanchez last 17 starts in Toronto:
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 4, 2019
0-13, 7.49 ERA, .901 opp. OPS
Aaron Sanchez 1st start in Houston:
7 hitless IP
He's the 1st pitcher ever to get traded after losing 13 in a row in the season he was traded
Are the #Astros really that much smarter than everyone else?
American League Wild Card
The Cleveland Indians are currently in the top spot of the AL Wild Card, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays who have a slim half-game lead over the Oakland Athletics. After that the closest team is the Red Sox at 6.5 games out.
National League East
The Atlanta Braves hold a firm seven game lead over both the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves have been in first place for a majority of the year and have slowly padded their lead throughout.
Great candidate for "Bat Flip of the Year"
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 5, 2019
(via @Braves) pic.twitter.com/h8zzLV8c2g
National League Central
In the only division that is somewhat close, the Chicago Cubs have a small 1.5 game lead over their rival St. Louis Cardinals. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds are within reach as well.
National League West
The Los Angeles Dodgers are extraordinarily dominant with a 17 game lead over second place in the NL West and currently featuring the best record in baseball.
CLUTCH LEVEL: MAX pic.twitter.com/y7SWGxFksK
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2019
National League Wild Card
The NL Wild Card race is wide open. The Cardinals hold the top spot by only a half-game over the Phillies and Nationals, which are both tied for the second spot. The Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants all sit within three games or less entering the week.