Article: Previewing the September Races

[Jeremy Nygaard]

There are very few certainties when it comes to the game of baseball. One certainty is to hear every year about how our favorite team is going to compete in their division or at least be in the mix for a wild card spot as the season winds down. That was, of course, true of the 2016 Twins.

 

Unfortunately, the Twins turned the calendar into September and were already all-but-eliminated two weeks ago by a sports betting site - their 750/1 odds were laughable even then - and now are officially eliminated from the post-season. In fact, some wondered if they were out of it in April.So as we watch this final month unfold, what should we expect? For some, their “expectations” change to draft position. Of course, fans are paying attention to that. The Twins are currently two games ahead of the Braves in the race for the first pick in the draft. But what about the other teams? You know, the good teams.

 

American League

The Rangers are in the best position of all the American League teams. They solidified their lineup and the bullpen and have a dynamic duo atop their rotation that should give them as good of shot as any team to make a run in the postseason.

 

The Indians, barring a collapse, will win the Central. And with that rotation (if they can get and stay healthy) and Andrew Miller in the bullpen, there won’t be a collapse.

 

In the East, though, it’s just a mess. The Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles are all within one good or bad weekend of being in first or being five games out.

 

Two of those teams will still be competing with the Astros and Tigers for only two wild card spots.

 

With the Royals falling out of position to defend their crown, the American League Pennant is up for grabs. If the Blue Jays can make it through the gauntlet of the AL East, I like their chances to make the World Series.

 

National League

The National League picture is a little clearer, but only because there is one less team that appears to be in the mix.

 

Each division has a team with a strong lead, led by the Cubs in the Central. Both the Nationals and Dodgers also have leads that make them likely to reach the playoffs.

 

The Mets, Giants and Cardinals are bunched very closely in the standings. But with room for only two, one of those three teams will fall short. The Marlins put up a good fight, but have faded late.

 

As the Mets scratch and claw toward the opportunity to defend their crown, the Cubs look like a team primed to lift the legendary 71-year-old curse.

While playoff intrigue writes itself one storybook chapter at a time, the march toward the playoffs will stay highly contested for the final month. Which team are you betting on?

 

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[jimmer]

I think people look at the Rangers record and assumes they are in the best shape, then say Indians for the same reason. I disagree.

IMO, Boston has the best team in the AL with the Blue Jays right behind them. They play in the toughest division against the toughest competition. Makes sense they'd have a lesser record that the Ranger since 4 of the 5 teams in the ALE are going to finish with winning records.

Boston sits at +173 differential, with Blue Jays at +85 and Indians at +109. As far as BaseRuns go, Boston, Indians, Blue Jays, Rangers.

[dougstene]

You missed the St. Louis Cardinals.  They are just a half game out of the Wild Card slot, while you mentioned the Marlins who are 5 games out of the Wild Card slot.

[ThejacKmp]

 

You missed the St. Louis Cardinals.  They are just a half game out of the Wild Card slot, while you mentioned the Marlins who are 5 games out of the Wild Card slot.

 

And you have the Giants leading their division when it is in fact the Dodgers. Major edits needed.

[Vanimal46]

If the Twins are out of the race, by default I cheer for the underdogs. In the AL, I'll be cheering for the Indians and the Blue Jays. I've been jealous of the Indians rotation for a couple of years now. 

In the NL, I'll go with the cliche answer of the Cubs. I'm tired of seeing the Giants, Cardinals, and Dodgers continuously in the mix. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

And you have the Giants leading their division when it is in fact the Dodgers. Major edits needed.

 

This one has been in the chute for a while. But I'm not sure what I was looking at.... I don't think things have changed that much since I wrote it.  

[bluechipper]

The O's are making a nice push. That's the team I'm rooting for this postseason.

[Otto von Ballpark]

The team really making a "push" is the Mariners.  8 straight wins, now within 1.5 games of Toronto for the second wild card spot (with only Detroit between them, although the Yankees are just behind Seattle too).

[TheLeviathan]

I want to root for the O's just for how weirdly they have gone about contending.

 

Have we seen a team like this in recent memory?  Virtually no speed whatsoever and bad starting pitching and they are winning with some crazy slugging numbers and a lights out bullpen.  It's so unique I have to tip my cap.

[Mike Sixel]

I could never root for the Cleveland team....the fact I call them the CLE team should explain why.

 

The Os are hard to explain. Like, fascinating in some ways.

 

I am rooting for Toronto and the Cubs, I guess, but I'm not sure I care all that much.

[jimmer]

 

I could never root for the Cleveland team....the fact I call them the CLE team should explain why.

 

The Os are hard to explain. Like, fascinating in some ways.

 

I am rooting for Toronto and the Cubs, I guess, but I'm not sure I care all that much.

I absolutely want the Cubs to win it all. They are a great team.  I wish my Grandma and Dad had lived long enough to see the team they have now.

[Sarah]

What about an Indians-Cubs World Series? Neither has won it in a long time - maybe because I'm a Twins fan but I'm a sucker for fans who deserve some joy...

[Vanimal46]

 

What about an Indians-Cubs World Series? Neither has won it in a long time - maybe because I'm a Twins fan but I'm a sucker for fans who deserve some joy...

Could you imagine Cleveland winning a basketball and baseball championship in the same year? Especially after going 50+ years without winning anything. If that were to happen, the old saying "when it rains, it pours" will ring true. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

What about an Indians-Cubs World Series? Neither has won it in a long time - maybe because I'm a Twins fan but I'm a sucker for fans who deserve some joy...

Personally, that would cheapen the victory for whoever prevailed.  Like a recent Twins-Oakland postseason matchup.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Maybe I'm the only one, but I am actively rooting against the Cubs.  They might be a historical underdog, but they're certainly not an underdog in 2016.  And the "Cubs as lovable losers" image is quite possibly the biggest constant in the sport, and I'd rather keep it that way.

[biggentleben]

Nice work by the Twins to make the #1 pick a challenge again! Exciting, especially knowing the Braves face the Tigers in the final weekend while the Twins play the White Sox. Could be a situation where the Tigers are playing for their postseason lives, but the Twins/ChiSox series will only be about pride...