Down the Stretch They Come

Today is the beginning of the end for the majority of teams in Major League Baseball, but for the eight who will eventually extend their season into October, this month represents only the beginning of what could be a championship run.

A year ago, the Phildelphia Phillies came into September with a record of 75-62, a game behind the New York Mets. Then, from September 11 through October 29, Philadelphia went on a 24-6 that culminated with a championship parade. So who will it be this year? Let's take a quick look at the races as we enter September.

American League
EAST

New York - The Yankees opened the final month with a 6.5 game lead, and unless they've been taking lessons from their cross-town rivals, they won't be caught. The only real question is if they will be able to hold off the Angels for homefield, but I think they will. This is the team to beat in the American League.

Boston - The Red Sox have the experience and the depth that should keep them in front of the Rays and Rangers for the Wild Card spot. The six games remaining with Tampa Bay (starting tonight) will be crucial, but unless Boston falls into another major slump, they will be back in the play-offs.

Tampa Bay - The feel-good story of last year, the Rays have the talent to make a late run at the Red Sox. They won't be intimidated after handling Boston last year, but something just feels different about this team in 2009. The offense has never really gotten it going, and the starting pitching has been weaker. They will win more games than the champion of the AL Central, but they will finish in third.

Completely Irrelevant - Baltimore, Toronto

CENTRAL

Detroit - It feels like everyone has been waiting for the Tigers to slip out of first place all summer long, but they just keep chugging along ahead of Minnesota and Chicago. They have a 3.5 lead over the Twins as September begins, but this division has a chance to go right down to the last weekend. Of Detroit's last 16 games, 13 of them will be against the Twins and the White Sox, so those three teams will settle things head-to-head. Verlander, Jackson, and Washburn give them a better rotation than the others, so I'll take Detroit to win the division, but here's hoping for another one-game playoff.

Minnesota - The Twins finished August on a tear (10-3 since August 21), and don't expect them to go away. It seems like this team makes a run every year, no matter who is on the roster. But as good as Mauer and Morneau are, I'm not convinced a starting rotation of Scott Baker, Carl Pavano, Nick Blackburn, and two big question marks can get them past Detroit. Still, this is the most interesting (and most mediocre) division in baseball, so anything is possible. It won't be decided until the very end.

Chicago - The White Sox looked like a real contender a month ago, when they traded for Alex Rios and Jake Peavy. Now, Peavy is still hurt, they are under .500, and now they have unloaded some of their best pieces. This team is bordering on irrelevant.

Completely Irrelevant - Kansas City, Cleveland

WEST

Anaheim - The Angels have only a 5 game edge over the Rangers, but it's hard to imagine Texas chasing them down. Anaheim has the experience that Texas lacks, and they have a very solid lineup. They probably have the deepest starting rotation in the league, and if Kazmir can get his act together it will be even better. I'm looking forward to a showdown between New York and Anaheim in the ALCS; a series that might actually favor the Angels by a bit.

Texas - The Rangers are the dark horses this year, and I would love to see them sneak into the playoffs, but the Red Sox and Angels will not be easy to catch. Their best chance remains the Wild Card. Between now and September 24, they have only six games against teams with records above .500, so they have an opportunity to get on a nice little run. I expect they will win between 90-92 games, but fall a couple of games short of a playoff appearance.

Completely Irrelevant - Seattle, Oakland

Coming tomorrow....The National League

- Eric