I’m glad the Yankees don’t read this column, because I kept saying the Rays would catch them. They did, being tied with them for a few days, but never passed them and never stayed there. Also, last week I mentioned the Rockies, who I’m pretty sure were double-digit games out a few weeks ago. Now they are 2.5 games back while the Giants and Padres are tied for first in the NL West. And the Phillies have taken over first in the NL East. Wow. It’s getting mighty exciting in MLB-land, just in time to compete with the start of the mighty NFL.
1. New York Yankees (87-54)—Does it matter that they’ve gone 2-4 this past week? Not a bit. Here’s a question—how is AJ Burnett 10-13 on this team? Something’s afoot at the Circle K, dude.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (85-55)—The thing is, when the Yankees have a 2-4 week, the Rays have to do better than a 2-4 week themselves, unless they are just content with the wild card and an ALDS meeting with the Twins.
3. Minnesota Twins (83-58)—“The White Sox have Manny Ramirez now, but that won’t stop the Twins from pulling away this month.”—you heard it here last week, is all I’m saying. Now a 5-game lead.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (82-60)—Did anyone suspect the Braves might crumble while the Phillies claimed their rightful spot atop the NL East? I did, but as a Mets fan did not want to admit it. The Braves are the lesser evil to me.
5. Cincinnati Red (80-61)—Recent struggles have not translated in the standings, as the Reds still have a 6-game edge on the suddenly mediocre Cardinals.
6. Atlanta Braves (81-61)—A one-game lead in the wild card is not where the Braves wanted to be sitting on September 11.
7. Colorado Rockies (77-64)—I don’t care that they are in third place right now. They have won 8 straight and are going to win the NL West.
8. San Francisco Giants (80-62)—They have tied the Padres, now they can jump out to a 2-game lead by Sunday. But will they? And will they keep the Rockies at bay? I think not.
9. San Diego Padres (79-61)—The other shoe is falling fast. How does a team lead their division for so long, and then lose 10 straight games with a month to go in the season? Oh yeah, it’s the Padres.
10. Texas Rangers (78-63)—They have also endured a losing streak, of five games, but still hold a 7.5 game edge on the A’s.
Note: The Red Sox and White Sox are both 78-63 as well, but is either team better than the Rangers? I don’t think so. At least not this week.
