With the regular season winding down, it's time to check in on Major League Baseball and see who is going to be left standing come October.
American League
New York Yankees - Even with all the changes made they still have one major weakness, the bullpen. Additionally, they have looked shaky against recent playoff-caliber teams like Boston, Seattle, Oakland, Chicago and Kansas City. But these are the Yankees - there is too much talent and experience here. With their cream puff schedule, they'll win the AL East and so long as their bullpen can keep it together they'll be playing late into October.
Chicago White Sox - The White Sox have come on strong after a slow start, and are in position to make the playoffs for first time since 2000. They have the offense to do it with both Magglio Ordonez and Frank Thomas putting up big numbers once again. They also have the pitching staff to do it with Bartolo Colon and Esteban Loaiza creating a formidable one-two punch.
Boston Red Sox - The Sox are the best offensive team in all of baseball - they hold a .292 batting average and have scored 872 runs, which is why a lot of people are scared of them. Added to that is the pitching duo of Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez, which is as good as anyone in the league. With their offense and the duo of Martinez and Lowe in a three-man rotation the rest of the AL is not looking forward to meeting them in the playoffs.
Oakland Athletics - It's no secret that the A's have one of the league's best rotations. Mark Mulder, Barry Zito and Tim Hudson are some of the finest young pitchers in the game. The A's also know how to turn it on at the end of the season. Right now they are poised to win the AL West. After that we will see if they can ride their three, or two depending on Mulder's health, young aces deep into October.
Kansas City Royals - Their 5.08 team ERA is only better Cincinnati, Colorado, Detroit and Texas, and they rank near the bottom in nearly every other statistical pitching category. Also, their defense ranks in the bottom third of the league. The only other teams in the playoff hunt with defenses in that range are the Yankees and Atlanta. We all know the Royals are not on the same level as those two.
Minnesota Twins - After last year's run to the American League Championship Series, everyone knows about the threat that this team poses. They cover up a mediocre pitching staff with excellent defense, which is led by center fielder Torii Hunter. They're also one of the top hitting teams in the major leagues. They've been playing mediocre ball all year and do not have the pitching staff to match the White Sox down the stretch.
Seattle Mariners - The Mariners are losing steam fast. They have dropped six games in a row and have fallen into a tie with the A's for first place in the AL West. When Jeff Nelson criticized the ownership for not making any moves at the deadline he may have been right. Unless they turn things around fast they will be watching the playoffs from their couches for the second year in a row.
National League
Atlanta Braves - The Braves hold the best record in the Major Leagues at 91-53 and, as usual, will easily win the NL East. The Braves are deep at every position and have the experience and talent necessary to go places in the playoffs. Look to see the Braves in the National League Championship.
San Francisco Giants - The Giants, powered by MVP candidate Barry Bonds, appear to have the NL West wrapped up. With the addition of Sidney Ponson to their rotation, the Giants look like a team ready to make a playoff run. Last year's NL pennant winners could very easily be back in the NLCS for the second year in a row.
St. Louis Cardinals - Albert Pujols is having his third straight MVP type season, which is putting the Cardinals right in the thick of the NL Central race. They will have to beat out Houston and Chicago to earn an invitation to the postseason. The Cards lack the strong pitching staff of the other teams in the race and will have to get top-notch performances from everyone if they want to make it in.
Houston Astros - Houston is tied with Chicago for the division lead, and much like the Cards, Houston will need a strong effort from their starters to get to the postseason. With the exception of Roy Oswalt, Houston doesn't have any established starting pitching. If they make it to the playoffs they're not going very far against the NL powerhouses.
Florida Marlins - Florida is one of the best stories of the year in baseball. The Fish were chosen to do nothing this year but, they have been riding rookie pitcher Dontrelle Willis and catcher Ivan Rodriguez to one of the top records in the NL. The Marlins are tied with Philadelphia for the NL Wild Card but won't be able to catch the Braves for the division. If they win the wild card the rest of the league should watch out - the Marlins could be this year's sleeper.
Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies have been locked in a dead heat with Florida for the wild card for some time now. With good performances from pitchers Kevin Millwood, Randy Wolf and first baseman Jim Thome, the Phillies could easily beat out the rest of the pack and earn the NL Wild Card.
Chicago Cubs - The Cubbies have come on strong and are tied for the division lead. With the way the NL East is shaping up, it looks like the Cubs will have to win the division to get into the playoffs. With Mark Prior and Kerry Wood pitching, and Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou hitting, the Cubs have the talent to do just that. While they have got an uphill battle ahead don't count out manager Dusty Baker and crew just yet.
AL Division Series:
Yankees vs. White Sox - Yankees in 4
Boston vs. Oakland - Oakland in 5
AL Championship Series:
Yankees vs Oakland - Yankees in 6
NL Division Series:
Atlanta vs. Chicago - Chicago in 4
Florida vs. San Fransisco - Florida in 5
NL Championship Series:
Florida vs Chicago - Chicago in 5
World Series -
Chicago vs. Yankees - Yankees in 7 and extra innings
