MLB Update

Well, we have two weeks left in the regular season, and a whole host of teams scrambling for the last few playoff spots.  If the playoffs go as they should, however, none of these teams will be with us for very long.  In the American League, the Astros and Yankees are almost certainly both going to win over 100 games.  In the NL, the Dodgers and Braves are likely to match that feat.  These are four very strong teams, any one of which would be a legitimate champion.  Assuming that those are your four finalists, the two League Championship Series should be something to watch.  Would I rather watch a pennant race?  Of course.  But that's not an option.

At the other end of the scale, keep track of the teams that have tanked.  The Marlins, Royals, Orioles, and Tigers are all more than 40 games behind the league leaders.  They are dreadful.  But that's how the Nats got Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.  That's how the Astros got the core of their 2017 Champions.  And a lot of smart folks in baseball think that's the best way to compete with the Big Boys.  It will be interesting to compare, say, the Phillies and the Marlins, and see which approach works better over the next five years.

NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Los Angeles:  97-54  --
Atlanta:  93-58  4
St. Louis:  83-66  13
Washington:  82-66  13 1/2
Chicago:  81-68  15
Milwaukee:  80-69  16
New York:  77-72  19
Philadelphia:  76-72  19 1/2
Arizona:  76-74  20 1/2
San Francisco:  72-78  24 1/2
Cincinnati:  70-80  26 1/2
San Diego:  68-81  28
Pittsburgh:  65-85  31 1/2
Colorado:  65-86  31 1/2
Miami:  52-97  44

AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Houston:  98-53  --
New York:  98-53  --
Minnesota:  91-58  6
Oakland:  90-60  7 1/2
Tampa Bay:  89-62  9
Cleveland:  87-63  10 1/2
Boston:  79-70  18
Texas:  74-77  24
Los Angeles:  68-82  29 1/2
Chicago:  65-84  32
Seattle:  62-88  35 1/2
Toronto:  59-91  38 1/2
Kansas City:  55-95  42 1/2
Baltimore:  49-100  48
Detroit:  44-104  52 1/2