We felt that it was time to take a moment to see what Tim Bryce thinks of the upcoming MLB playoffs for 2015. Mr. Bryce writes for Ticket King from time to time. He’s doesn’t mince words when it comes to baseball.
Well, at the moment the Milwaukee Brewers find themselves with a record of 53-72 and 20 games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second Wild Card position. The point I am making here is that barring the most improbable comeback in the history of the American sports, there will be no September miracle for the Brewers this year. As we approach September, the playoff races begin to heat up. Let’s take a look at the various playoff races across the league.
The Washington Nationals began the season as the runaway favorites to win the National League by a good 10-15 games. That hasn’t happened, at all, and at this point it won’t happen. The New York Mets have arrived a year early and have pushed the Washington Nationals out of the top spot in the National League East. The Mets currently hold a five game lead over Washington.
The National League Central is without a doubt the strongest division in baseball at the moment. Three of baseball’s best four records are all in the National League Central. The St. Louis Cardinals have a record of 78-45. Right behind them are the Pittsburgh Pirates with a record of 74-48, just 3.5 games behind St. Louis. The Cardinals lead was much bigger two months ago, so this should get interesting. The Chicago Cubs find themselves in third place with a record of 72-51, six games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. At the moment, Pittsburgh will host the Cubs in the Wild Card play in game.
Out in the National League West it is the Los Angeles Dodgers in the lead with a record of 67-56, good for a 1.5 game lead over San Francisco, who has a record of 66-58. The Giants have had a miserable season in regards to injuries, and are really suffering without Hunter Pence right now. The Diamondbacks currently sit in third place with a record of 62-61, five games back. Don’t be surprised if the Diamondbacks come back and take this division.
Over in the American League East the Toronto Blue Jays, my preseason choice to win the World Series, have surged past the New York Yankees and into first place with a record of 69-55. The Blue Jays had a great trade deadline, acquiring shortstop Troy Tulowitski and starting pitcher David Price. The Yankees are sputtering right now and currently hold a record of 68-55. The Baltimore Orioles sit in third place with a record 62-61 and have lost four in a row due to an abysmal four game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins over the weekend.
In the American League Central it is the Kansas City Royals with a record of 75-48, good for the second best record in baseball in first place by 12.5 games over the Minnesota Twins. This divisional race is all but finished.
The American League West features a three team race. The Houston Astros, who have also arrived a year earlier than expected, hold the top spot with a record of 69-56. Behind them is the resurgent Texas Rangers, with a record of 64-59, 4.5 games out. Behind them are the fading Los Angeles Angels, with a record 63-61, five games out. The Angels have lost four in a row and are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
At the moment, the American League Wild Card race is a mess. The Yankees hold a four game lead over the Texas Rangers, the team with the second Wild Card spot. After that, it is anyone’s guess. The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels are both 1.5 back of Texas. Baltimore is two games back. Tampa Bay, 2.5 back. Detroit is five games back, The White Sox are 5.5 games back, the Cleveland Indians are 6.5 back, and the Seattle Mariners are 7.5 games back. This one is going to come down to the wire.
