The MLB standings continue to captivate. There are teams in first place who have comfortable leads, others who are building comfortable leads and those whose leads are in jeopardy. There are plenty of teams gunning for first place in divisions all around baseball. Start your timers and mark your calendars, the month of September is right around the corner as the month of August is almost wrapping up. Here are the standings as we pull up to a weekend of baseball.
N.L. West: Los Angeles Dodgers 9.5-Game Lead
Bang! Bang! The Arizona Diamondbacks have lost two straight games at the hands of the blazing Cincinnati Reds and just like that, they take a tumble in the standings. If losing was a religion, then the Dodgers would be considered non-believers. They have won eight of their last 10 games and are coming off three straight wins against the Miami Marlins. Right about now, everybody in the West looks toast. The D'Backs are the only ones who can give the Dodgers a run for their money, but they have placed themselves in a huge hole.
N.L. Central: Pittsburgh Pirates 1-Game Lead Over Cards, 2.5 Over Reds
The Pirates' lead is buckling as the Reds and Cardinals are on fire. The Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10, while the Reds and Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 ball games. The Cardinals have the toughest weekend of the three teams as they face off against the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates play the San Francisco Giants and the Reds see the Milwaukee Brewers
N.L. East: Atlanta Braves 14-Game Lead
The Braves are struggling though they are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The good news is that they have a 14-game lead in the East. The Washington Nationals, however, are in a bit of a run. They are nearing .500 and you better believe those guys will not go out with making some type of noise. It wouldn't take much to rattle the Braves. Remember 2011?
A.L. East: Boston Red Sox 1-Game Lead
Another first place team in danger, the Boston Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays are just a game away and it seems as though they will end up battling for the top spot. However, don't look now, but the New York Yankees, who are in fourth place, are currently the hottest team in baseball. They are winners of five straight and they are making a chase in the division and the Wild Card.
A.L. Central: Detroit Tigers 5-Game Lead
Okay, so their lead isn't in as much jeopardy as the Red Sox's or Pirates', but the Cleveland Indians are working. They've won three straight games and seven of their last 10. They continue to apply pressure in the Central and who knows? Last year it was the Chicago White Sox who folded in the final days of the season. Will the Tigers follow suit in 2013?
A.L. West: Texas Rangers 2.5-Game Lead
It's weird, but though only a 2.5-game lead, right now, the Rangers look a lot better than the Oakland Athletics. The A's have the knack of being party poopers late in the season, but the Rangers appear to have the right weapons to close out the division. It's a slim lead now, however, so who knows what will transpire in the next couple of days.
