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.
