Ben Verlander
FOX Sports activities MLB Analyst
We’re in any case right here. The general while of the ordinary season is upon us, and a couple of sections and more than one wild-card spots stay unclaimed.
However there have been momentous adjustments within the American League West.
Right here’s my original lead 10, with a couple of attention-grabbing factoids about every membership and one pristine member.
1. Atlanta Braves (100-56; latter while 1)
With the Braves at the verge of clinching home-field merit, the playoffs may travel totally via Atlanta. That’s a difficult proposition for all comers. Since Might, negative crew has a better win share at accommodation than the Braves (.672).
2. Baltimore Orioles (97-59; LW 2)
The Orioles’ two wins as opposed to the Guardians over the weekend tie two issues: They prolonged their AL-record of order with out being swept to 88, and so they maintained a relaxed cushion forward of the Rays for first within the league and the AL East.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (96-59; LW 3)
The Dodgers have technically been the category of the majors because the calendar accident July. Their 50-24 mark is tops within the majors, as is their 28-13 listing at accommodation — negative alternative crew has greater than 25 wins. Dodgers Stadium, after all, is the place they’ll start the Nationwide League Category Line.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (95-62; LW 4)
In spite of losing two of 3 to the Jays this date weekend, the Rays have quietly been probably the most excellent groups in baseball since August. They’re one in all simply 3 groups to have single-digit losses at each accommodation and at the highway all through this stretch. In alternative phrases, they’re again to successful all over.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (82-68; LW 8)
Over the date two months, negative crew has placed on a greater show of energy than the Phillies. Since August started, the Phils have slugged 37 extra homers than their fighters, the most efficient margin within the majors. It begins with leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose 18 homers are secured with Corey Seager for essentially the most within the majors.
Bryce Harper CRUSHES 451-foot homer as Phillies connect contest towards Mets
6. Texas Rangers (87-68; LW unranked)
Are the Rangers for actual? Their sweep over the Mariners coupled with the Astros getting swept by way of the Royals (?!) has Texas within the motive force’s seat within the AL West. However negative crew has been extra up and i’m sick within the date past or so. The Rangers have recorded an eight-game dropping streak, six-game successful streak and four-game dropping streak, and so they’re recently on a five-game successful streak. Which crew will display up this while?
7. Milwaukee Brewers (88-68; LW 6)
The Brewers have struggled offensively many of the age, however one branch they have got constantly come via is in grasp moments. They’ve a 27-18 listing in one-run video games this season, the third-best within the majors. Additionally, the suffering offense has delivered a .314 reasonable with runners in scoring place since Aug. 1st, which is the most efficient in MLB.
Christian Yelich launches two HRs vs. Marlins as Brewers clinch playoff berth
8. Toronto Blue Jays (87-69; LW 7)
Sunday’s win towards the Rays was once plethora for the Jays in additional techniques than one. It was once the primary order the Jays took as opposed to a crew recently within the playoff subject since they gained two of 3 towards the Dodgers in overdue July. Creating a deep run would most probably entail having to travel in the course of the Rays and/or Orioles, towards which Toronto is 8-15 this season. The Jays akin out the ordinary season as opposed to Tampa Bay in what is going to most probably be some must-win video games.
9. Minnesota Twins (83-73; LW 9)
Every now and then, you’ll be able to simply outslug groups. The Twins have 81 dingers since Aug. 1, which leads the AL. Their listing is 29-20, which is third-best within the league. That, in conjunction with stellar founding pitcher, appears to be their components for successful i’m sick the stretch and most likely within the postseason, the place they haven’t gained a unmarried contest in 19 years.
Highlights from Twins’ 9-3 win vs. Angels
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (82-73 LW 10)
The D-backs are taking part in about in addition to they have got all age, successful seven in their date 8 video games. Curiously, the offense has scored 5 or extra runs six instances in that extend. Arizona had scored 5 or extra runs simply 3 times in 17 video games prior.
Out: Houston Astros (5)
Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was once an All-American at Impaired Dominion College sooner than he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round select of the Tigers in 2013. He spent 5 years within the Tigers group. Practice him on Twitter @BenVerlander.
Get extra from Primary League Baseball Practice your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra