The most exciting words in sports. In horse racing, it plays itself out in seconds. In baseball we have to wait a little longer, but things are beginning to shape up in both leagues.
Since the big trade, the A's have actually lost ground to the Angels, but not enough that we are still not looking at a potential A's- Angels battle for a trip to the World Series. The A's are probably the most balance team in baseball, with the 3rd best offense and defense among the contenders. The Nationals would hold that title in the National League with the fifth best offense and the 2nd best defense. The other National League team are either decidedly one-dimensional or just not very good. The Dodger might be setting up best for the NLCS battle with the Nats at this point, with the Giants needing to build some September momentum and home-field advantage throughout.
For now it looks like Angels - Tigers and A's Orioles leading to an Angels - A's final, with the Angels advancing to the World Series.
In the National, it shape sup as Nats - Giants and Dodgers - Cardinals leading to Nats - Dodgers with the Nats advancing to the World Series.
With an Angels - National World Series, I would think the Angels would be pretty big favorites to win, unless pitching wins in the playoffs. The Angels would seem to have the advantage in terms of experience in general and playoff experience specifically.
The leaders in terms of offense ( based on RS / G ):
Tigers 4.68
Angels 4.64
A's 4.62
Orioles 4.36
Nationals 4.29
The offensive laggards are:
Braves 3.78
Cardinals 3.87
Mariners 4.00
The Braves do not have the pitching to overcome this weak offense, even though they do have great pitching. The Cardinals are the only team still in it with a negative run-differential. If anyone can overcome that negative stat it's the Cardinals and it would have to be with superior pitching, it's just that they've had injuries there that will be tough to for them overcome.
On the defensive side of the ball ( based on RA/G ):
Mariners 3.39
Nationals 3.51
A's 3.60
Braves 3.62
Dodgers and Giants 3.67
The defensive laggards are:
Tigers 4.32
Brewers 4.26
Pirates 4.07
If pitching and defense rule in the playoffs, the Mariners and Braves have hope if the can get there. I'm just not sure they get there. Same for the Brew crew and the Pirates. The Giants and Dodgers are soooooo one dimensional but would make for a great NLCS finale.
The Royals with a 4.09 RS/G and 3.96 RA/G are the most nondescript team still in in the hunt at this point, so I hope they don't make it simply because I would have no explanation as to how they got there. They did thump the Giants recently so I do know they can play and they are probably closest to the Tigers in terms of ability even if they lag them badly in terms of recent success.
The Mariners would probably be the most scary party crashers with King Felix to carry them and the Cardinals or the Tigers the most likely to fold the tent early, but we shall see how it all plays out.
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