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For most of the season, the Cardinals have been the best team in baseball and it seemed that it was a foregone conclusion that they would run away with the NL Central. Now, things are much more crowded atop that division, and the Cubs’ great play lately is making the race very interesting. After winning yesterday, Chicago will be going for a sweep of St. Louis this afternoon, shrinking their deficit to just four games and giving them their sixth straight victory.
As we all know, the Cubs are looking for their first championship since 1908, and look to have a legitimate chance on the backs of their great young players. One of them, Addison Russell, ended yesterday’s game with a great defensive play. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have looked mortal in the month of September, winning just seven of 17 games. It’s not just the Cubs catching up to them, either. The Pirates are a game ahead of the Cubs, just four games behind the Cardinals.
On the one hand, the race is somewhat anticlimactic since all three NL Central teams will make the postseason. However, the new playoff system with the two wildcard spots adds a new emphasis on winning the division. Unfortunately, two of these teams will be playing in a one-game playoff despite owning two of the three best records in all of baseball, prompting some to think the league needs to thinking about tweaking the postseason system. Either way, a division that looked like it was decided a few weeks ago will turn out to be one of the most exciting to watch down the stretch.
- Despite their slide, the Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot. Now, they need to figure out how they’ll organize their bullpen.
- The Royals have long been known for their vaunted bullpen, but some recent developments are causing them to shake things up a bit.
- After toiling in mediocrity all year, Cleveland has fought their way back into the playoff picture, and have a legitimate chance at one of the wildcards. Hooray mediocre AL!
- If the Mets are going to make a run at a championship, they’ll need Jacob deGrom to pitch well in the playoffs. They’ll be giving him some rest down the stretch to help that cause.
- Brett Gardner just signed an extension and has been one of the most important players on the Yankees. So should they trade him this winter?
- What’s up with the Astros?
- It’s been a decade since a Giants player has won a Gold Glove, but that streak could be ending this year.
- The Dodgers’ offense is performing behind two newcomers.
- After trading Troy Tulowitzki, is it time for the Rockies to just blow everything up?
- The Twins are still fighting for a playoff spot, but they’re winning over their fans both on the field and off it.
- Yoenis Cespedes is catching all the headlines, but another Mets hitter has been just as hot.
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