As the calendar turns to August this year it means two things for Major League Baseball. The trade deadline is set for this evening being the first.
The last chance for each team to improve at their weakness before the second thing that August means; the Playoff Push.
Some teams and fans and announcers alike call the days of August the “dog days” of baseball. Yet, this is when those teams that have been underachieving look at the schedule and say, “We got 55 games to make up X amount of games for a wildcard spot”.
American League
Let’s not even think that anyone of these division races are locked up and as a matter of fact, it might behoove a few teams to only focus on winning the division.
Every American League division race is within one or two games with the third place team only four or five games back.
A team like Cleveland who is six games back in the wildcard race, yet only a half game back in the division race behind the Twins. This division, the AL Central, will only have one playoff team, I am guessing.
American League Wild Card
Right now on August 1st, 2023 you have eight teams looking for those three AL wild card spots. Out of those eight teams, what teams have the best chance?
Starting from the bottom, Cleveland is six games back, I say take them out because they will win the division. Next you got a pair of teams from the AL West, the Mariners and the Angels.
The Angels of Anaheim are five games behind the Rangers in the division and only four games out of a wild card spot. They are according to sources not trading Ohtani today and going all in on making a run this season.
While the Mariners are one game behind the Angels and fourth place in the division. Seattle Mariners are only 4.5 games back from stealing a wildcard spot.
All of these teams are one good weekend series sweep away from a playoff spot if all of the cards fall into place. Right on the fringe of the line are two bitter rivals from the AL East.
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are within one game from each other and both on the outside looking in. Red Sox 2.5 games back from a wildcard spot, while the Yankees are 3.5 games back.
Yankees treading water until Judge gets back healthy and then look to make a strong push. While Red Sox will look to make a trade and get healthy theirselves.
Teams in Right Now
Division leaders all by the hair of their chin are the Baltimore O’s, Minnesota Twins, and the Texas Rangers. All three have a team within one game of stealing the crown.
The Tampa Bay Rays, the Houston Astros, and the Toronto Blue Jays are the three AL wild card teams as of the first day of August, 2023.
Two of these teams in my opinion, the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays are poised for a deep run this post season. Even with the injury to Bo Bichette who has been on an MVP like tear this season.
Who will be there after September, when it really matters? This race is going to be a fun one.
Rowan Donaghey is a Sports and Betting insider, and breaking news reporter for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on twitter via @RowanDonaghey
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