Midwest Mediocrity
Not much has changed since the last update on the mediocre performances coming from the nation’s heartland this summer. No team has truly broken away in either division. And as it stands, the two divisions should only expect to send one representative each to the postseason.
The AL Central is still a 3-team race between the Tigers, White Sox and Twins. Each of these teams reloaded at the trading deadline with the Tigers adding Jarrod Washburn, the White Sox adding Jake Peavy, and the Twins adding Orlando Cabrera.
The Indians gave up any hope of being competitive for the remainder of the year, trading away Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez and Ben Francisco. And the Royals, well, are once again the Royals.
The NL Central still remains a two team race between the Cubs and Cardinals. The Brewers and Astros, while showing stretches of solid play earlier in the second half, can’t hide the fact that they’ve gone 4-6 and 3-7 respectively, in their last 10 games.
The only dramatic development resulted from Cincinnati’s move from mediocrity to sheer awfulness. At least the Pirates have an excuse for their fate in the NL Central after trading nearly half of their active roster.
Here’s how the races pan out as we enter the first full week of August:
AL Central Division Standings
Team GB
Detroit – - (54-49)
Sox 1.5 (54-52)
Minnesota 3.0 (52-53)
Cleveland 11.0 (44-61)
Kansas City 13.5 (41-63)
NL Central Division Standings
Team GB
St. Louis – - (58-50)
Cubs 0.5 (55-48)
Milwaukee 4.5 (52-53)
Houston 4.5 (52-53)
Cincinnati 11.0 (45-59)
Pittsburgh 11.0 (45-59)
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Comment from Andrew
Time August 3, 2009 at 9:47 am
The Cubs have the best shot of making it to the playoffs. They’re facing some weaker competition in the NL Central, and they’re finally starting to put it together. Soriano is finally making contact with the ball and the starting pitching has strung together a couple of solid starts. If Gregg can minimize the damage he’s allowing at the end of games, the Cubs should be good for another first-round flame-out.