As the games keep rolling, the competition stiffens. One slip and both the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates could find themselves tied for first place one day then chasing in the Wild Card the next day. The MLB standings are tight all around baseball and though the Los Angeles Dodgers have a comfortable lead, is there reason to worry as we enter the latter stages of August?
N.L. West: Los Angeles Dodgers (72-52), Arizona D'Backs (64-59) 7.5 GB
The lead looks pretty safe, but the Dodgers lost back-to-back games for the first time in about two months. Should L.A. worry about their Dodgers? Don't do so yet. They faced a baby ace in Jose Fernandez, who has been dominant all year and one of the best pitchers this year. The Dodgers should get back on the winning column against the worst team in the N.L., Miami Marlins. L.A. received help in the standings as the D'Backs were beaten by the Cincinnati Reds, but this didn't boast too well for the N.L. Central leading Pirates.
N.L. Central: Pirates (73-51), St. Louis Cardinals (72-52) 1 GB, Reds (71-54) 2.5 GB
Call it the most entertaining division in baseball. Though many have their eyes set on the A.L. East and Alex Rodriguez news, the N.L. Central has a tough race boiling up as the season is winding down. The Pirates were backed up by the big bat of Pedro Alvarez, while Francisco Liriano took care of the San Diego Padres, striking out 13 hitters. The Cardinals escaped a late inning rally by the Milwaukee Brewers after putting together four runs in the eighth inning to win the game.
A.L East: Boston Red Sox (74-53), Tampa Bay Rays (71-52) 1 GB, Baltimore Orioles (67-57) 5.5 GB
The Rays could the do themselves and the Red Sox a favor as they are facing the Orioles. However, the Orioles struggling means the New York Yankees enter the playoff discussion, moving them within striking distance of at least a chance at the Wild Card. The Red Sox won a huge game yesterday against the San Francisco Giants. Jon Lester appears to be in a groove. His performance was clutch, especially after the Rays had won their game against the Orioles. Had the Red Sox lost yesterday, Boston would have been tied for first place with the Rays entering today.
A.L. West: Texas Rangers (72-53), Oakland Athletics (71-53) 0.5 GB
Tight can't even begin to describe this division. The Rangers and A's are just one game away from flipping positions in their division. The Rangers had an easy win over the Houston Astros, while the A's received a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth to put away the Seattle Mariners.
N.L. East: Atlanta Braves (76-48), Washington Nationals (60-64) 16 GB
The Braves have taken it back to the late 90's. Call it Throwback Thursday, every day. With a Nationals loss on Monday, the Braves are now leading the division by a whopping 16 games, with 38 games left in their season. That puts their magic number at around 22.
A.L. Central: Detroit Tigers (73-51), Cleveland Indians (67-58) 6.5 GB
Credit the Indians for making this a race. The Tigers have a comfortable lead, but if they string together some loses, who knows what would happen. The Indians crept half a game closer after defeating the Los Angeles Angels Monday evening.