Labor Delusions

The unofficial end of summer has arrived in North America.  Some parts of the country, ours included, have had very little summer weather.  The hottest weather came after school started.  Timing is everything.

It's time for the pennant chase.  Several surprises throughout baseball this season, the biggest being that the AL East, long a battleground of the Yankees and Red Sox for supremacy, is pretty much wrapped up by the Orioles.  The Angels look really good in the West, a surprise considering how much the A's put into trying to win everything this year.  Maybe trading Cespedes wasn't such a good idea.

The National League East is has the Washington Nationals looking pretty solid.  They made some very solid off season moves, and they have performed well throughout the season.

Everyone else is up in the air.

Most intriguing race is the AL Central, with the Royals leading the Tigers by a half game, and the Indians still within striking distance.  No great moves made to strengthen the roster at the trade deadline for any team.  In fact, the Indians sold their best pitcher, Bethel product Justin Masterson, at the deadline.  It would be wonderful to see the Royals, long a doormat, have some success.  The Tigers are still a favorite, but the window of opportunity appears to be closing.  Free agency will eventually dismantle the Motor City Kitties.  I like the Royals, who have been solid most of the year.

In the NL West, the Dodgers and the Giants will fight it out again.  The Giants made the best moves at the deadline, but the Dodgers have better pitching, which will probably help them hold their 2.5 game lead.  It makes the Dodgers a threat to go all the way this time, provided the offense holds together.

The NL Central could be the most fun to watch, a battle of mediocrity.  The Cardinals and the Brewers are in a dead heat, with the Pirates two games back.  The Cardinals have the most experience, and the most likely to get help from the minors for the stretch run.  The Brewers have plenty of firepower, but not a lot of pitching. The Pirates are the most intriguing, and the team I would like to see advance.  Andrew McCutcheon is as exciting as anyone to watch right now not names Jose Bautista.  The Cardinals are the most likely to win, but I like the Pirates to win this division.

By the way, hats off to Jose Bautista for his hot run.  Five home runs in five games for a guy who deserves to be at the center of attention.  I think he'd look great in an Angel uniform.

So...am I off base?