Chicago was the first team to reach 90 wins on the year and their run differential of +222 is nearly 80 runs better than any other team in baseball. The Cubs will head into the playoffs favored to win the World Series, but if history tells us anything, it could be an interesting October.
The National League has the top two teams as the Washington Nationals are next on the list. This squad is balanced, but a recent injury to starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg could make it difficult to overtake the boys from the windy city. The Nats’ are 84-58 on the year and winners of seven of their last ten games and with a nine game lead in the NL East, they have all but sewn up the division.
Los Angeles (80-61) has taken control of the NL West as the Dodgers now have a four game lead over San Francisco. The Giants (76-65) are still on top of the wild-card standings, but a continued slide could risk them playing when the playoffs rolls around.
The tightest race in the MLB is happening in the AL East as Boston (79-62) have taken the division lead over Toronto. The Blue Jays (78-63) dropped to second this week after a slight skid and with Baltimore right on their tails, it will be a tight finish for all three clubs over the next few weeks.
Texas is sitting third in the power rankings after a hot August. The Rangers (85-58) still have questions regarding their starting pitching staff, but the lineup is making up for any deficiencies. Cleveland is next in the American League with a 82-59 record. The Indians pitching staff have allowed the fewest runs in the American League this season, a stat that lends itself well to making a run at the World Series.
Both leagues have a tight race for its two wild-card spots. The AL has Toronto and Baltimore holding the top two spots, but Detroit (76-65) and the NY Yankees (76-65) are both just one game back. Houston, Seattle, and Kansas City still have an outside chance of making the post season, but will need to play near perfect baseball over the last three weeks of the year.
The Giants and Cardinals (75-66) are on top of the NL, but the NY Mets (75-67) are making a strong big for October, trailing by just .5 games. With the struggles in San Francisco, New York is looking in good shape if the bay area squad continues to lose ball games.
