Houston Astros: The Astros have lost nine of their last 11 and are actually under.500. They are likewise in playoff position due to being in second location in the AL West..
Theyve had lots of injury concerns and the offensive firepower just hasnt been where weve grown accustomed to seeing in the last couple of years (yes, raising genuine concerns). Still, Jose Altuve is returning soon, its possible Justin Verlander returns, even if its in relief and theres just too much raw talent here for me to dismiss them in October. In any playoff series, seeing the similarity Zack Greinke, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Altuve and Verlander would offer any group pause..
Cleveland: The way specific things have actually gone just recently in the AL Central, it looks like Cleveland is ticketed for the 7 seed in the American League. That implies somebody like the As (without Matt Chapman) would have to win 2 of 3 against Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and whoever else Terry Francona chooses to begin with his excellent pitching staff. Its a high order..
Chg.
Rcrd.
Theres so much possible enjoyable here in eagerly anticipating October. Initially up, though, the final 2 weeks of the routine season will be insane too. Lets rank em..
There are just 2 weeks left in the 2020 Major League Baseball routine season. The postponed season, the COVID shutdowns, all the doubleheaders (and those to come) and weve got just two weeks left.
As we eagerly anticipate an insane last 2 weeks before what is most likely to be a crazy postseason, its worth wondering if there are hazards to make a deep playoff run who have been depending on the weeds to this point. Recently I took a look at possible Cinderella stories amongst teams not presently in playoff position, but what about those in position? Lets highlight 3 AL teams..
Theyve now won 5 in a row and after a four-game, head-to– head sweep have run away from the Orioles. They sit just a half-game back of the Blue Jays for the 5 seed in the AL with 3 video games versus those Blue Jays in Yankee Stadium for the very first half of this coming week.
Losing 15 of 20 is bad, but in a 162-game sprint, I do not believe everyone wouldve stressed as much. As it stands, the Yankees might well be just as dangerous as we believed they d be, come October..
.
Most significant Movers.
Rk.
Groups
1.
–.
33-14.
Still winning at a furious speed, however theyve been banged up and had several gamers (Cody Bellinger, for one) not playing like they can. Scary.
Dodgers.
2.
Padres.
The seeding system appears like its going to screw the Padres. They seem headed for the 4 seed in spite of having the second-best record in the NL (in reality, they have a shot at second-best record in all of baseball).
1.
31-17.
3.
Twins.
That six-game losing streak a few weeks ago appears to have been simply a little lull. The Twins have won 10 of 12 given that.
5.
30-18.
4.
White Sox.
Ive seen some spin about the White Sox battering on bad teams. They are 21-3 versus the Tigers, Royals and Pirates. And my reaction? So what. When they arent getting squashed by the Sox, great groups beat up on weaklings and the Tigers are really 19-17. The Royals are 19-19 against non-Sox teams.
2.
30-16.
5.
Losing Matt Chapman is such a substantial blow. Not just offensively, as hes arguably the best defensive 3rd baseman in baseball, too (sorry, Rockies fans).
Sports.
1.
29-17.
6.
When Tyler Glasnow is on, hes as great as anybody in baseball. The 73 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings is elite. But why does he get knocked around every once in a while?
Rays.
4.
30-17.
7.
I want I might remember who tweeted it so I could appropriately credit them, but somebody mentioned last week that the 2020 Braves may wind up with more crowning achievement than the 2015 Braves. They have 82 homers in 47 video games right now. In 2015, they struck 100 in 162 video games.
Braves.
–.
28-19.
8.
Alec Mills with a no-hitter? Jason Heyward as their best offending player? # 2020.
Cubs.
4.
28-20.
9.
Blue Jays.
OK, Jays. Lets see what youre made of. The next 11 video games come against the Yankees (seven) and Phillies (four).
–.
26-20.
10.
Yankees.
The Orioles do not have the skill to be accompanying the Yankees, however they were. Congratulations to the Yankees to turn it on and bury them this weekend. Thats what real contenders do. Now lets see if they get fully best before October.
4.
26-21.
11.
Indians.
Much for the run toward the top seed. They have now lost 6 directly.
6.
26-21.
12.
Cardinals.
They simply cant shake.500. They have not been more than 2 video games above.500 or 2 listed below.500 all season. Theyve been exactly.500 13 various times.
1.
20-20.
13.
Take a look at the rest of their schedule. Its time to get. Rangers (seven games), Diamondbacks (3) and Mariners (3) are all they have actually left.
Astros.
3.
23-24.
14.
Everybody get aboard the Sixto Sanchez Hype Train while you can. The young stud has a 1.69 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 5 profession starts. And weve seen sufficient to understand that in a 60-game season, the Marlins are legit.
Marlins.
6.
23-21.
15.
Phillies.
Theres so much to like about Alec Bohms game, but how about him appearing to have the so-called “clutch gene?” Pretty enjoyable stuff.
2.
23-22.
16.
Giants.
You understand how it looks like the Dodgers have a propensity for taking on players other groups want to dispose of and making them into something (Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, and so on)? They were the last team to have Donovan Solano before the Giants grabbed him. Thats fun.
3.
23-24.
17.
The Mariners sit just 1 1/2 games behind the flailing Astros for the 2nd place area in the AL West. That would get them to the six seed, too. Longest playoff drought in MLB about to be snapped? The Astros are attempting to let them.
Mariners.
5.
21-25.
18.
Makers.
They were all set to take the first 2 games of the series versus the Cubs and then Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer off Josh Hader. Still, they stay simply two games back of the Cardinals and have actually 10 video games left versus them.
2.
20-24.
19.
Reds.
Excellent series win over the Cardinals, but the Reds are still 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. The run has to begin right away and four versus the Pirates ought to help.
2.
21-26.
20.
In baseball history, just Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson have won 3 consecutive Cy Youngs. Why do I bring this up right here? Cmon. You know why.
Mets.
1.
21-26.
21.
Playoff teams shouldnt be losing series to the Angels. The Rockies have now gone 10-22 since their 11-3 start.
Rockies.
6.
21-25.
22.
Royals.
Brad Keller tossed a shutout on Sunday (though against the Pirates it should only count as like 1/3 of a shutout) and he now has a 2.06 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through seven starts.
7.
20-28.
23.
Hes just 21 and Juan Soto just keeps getting much better. The brand-new wrinkle this season is strolling more than he sets out, like a prime Chipper Jones season (just with more power).
Nationals.
2.
17-28.
24.
Orioles.
It was fun while it lasted, but ultimately all this season really did was mess up the Orioles strategy to stock high draft picks. I suppose theres probably adequate time to fall back into the top 5.
6.
20-26.
25.
Tigers.
Take a look at the year Jeimer Candelario is creating. Hes hitting.325/.385/.571 with 11 doubles, three triples and seven homers.
2.
20-26.
26.
Hey, at least the World Series is being played in their brand-new home park? Thats something great in 2020 for the Rangers.
Rangers.
4.
17-30.
27.
Viewing Albert Pujols connecting Willie Mays at 660 crowning achievement was quite cool.
Angels.
3.
20-28.
28.
Red Sox.
Its been sort of quiet– likely because the Red Sox began the season 6-18– however Alex Verdugo is having an outstanding season. Keep in mind, he was the main position player coming by for Mookie Betts.
2.
17-31.
29.
I mused about Zac Gallen being simply 1-0 through eight starts on a bad team last week. He lost 2 starts in a week. My bad, Zac.
Diamondbacks.
2.
17-31.
30.
Heres your preferred to get the 2021 top general draft choice. They currently have the worst record and the rest of the schedule protests the Reds, Cardinals, Cubs and Indians.
Pirates.
2.
14-30.
They sit just a half-game back of the Blue Jays for the five seed in the AL with three games against those Blue Jays in Yankee Stadium for the very first half of this coming week. They havent been more than 2 video games above.500 or 2 below.500 all season. The Mariners sit simply 1 1/2 video games behind the flailing Astros for the 2nd location spot in the AL West. They were all set to take the very first 2 games of the series versus the Cubs and then Jason Heyward hit a three-run homer off Josh Hader. Still, they remain just two video games back of the Cardinals and have actually 10 video games left against them.
