The Boys Of Summer 2019

As we return to regular season play following the All-Star break, I always find it interesting to note the spread of the divisions and see who’s looking dominant, dangerous, comfortable, in trouble, a lost cause or anything else in between. Also, which divisions look the most interesting.

This year, the NL Central looks like the only really competitive division.
The Reds, in last place in the NL Central are only 4.5 games back on the leaders, The Cubs. They are closer to the lead of their division than any second place team in the other 5 divisions, with the Yanks, Braves, Twins, Astros and Dodgers each holding a lead of at least 5.5 in their respective divisions, with only the Braves holding a percentage of less than .600.
Not only that, The Cubs, with a 47-43 record so far, have only the joint 12th best record, and would fail to get in the top three of 3 of the divisions!

So it looks like the NL Central is the Place for potential crunch games, although these things can change quickly. Having said that, it does look like The Dodgers can start planning for the postseason already, being .652 with a 13.5 game lead over their closest rivals, the Diamondbacks, who are .505 - just 1 game over .500.
The other 4 big leaders all look good for their divisions at this stage, but I’m sure there’ll be some twists and turns yet.

Still all to play for of course, and you never know what might happen in October,  but I have a horrible feeling the Yanks are going to do it this year.

Henry Irving said:

Been trying to convince myself that the BL central is competitive when in reality it's just poor.

Cards on .500 are two games behind!!

Group of sleep

There’s been decent baseball and there are some very good players on show in the NL Central Henners.
Might not have clicked into place or be as high quality as the Dodgers or the Yanks, but there’s life in the division yet.

Oh man!!!
Cards complete yet another come from behind win in the 9th to clinch 4 game sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley.
Life is sweet.  

Well, the Giants blew this season badly!
Only consolation is they somehow managed to get Bruce Bochy to 2000+ wins as a coach!
A lot better is expected for next year!

Cardinals Braves game was brilliant. I have petty reasons to dislike both teams but found myself drawn more towards the Cardinals as the game wore on so was happy with the result. Looking forward to the Astros - Rays game tonight.

Henry Irving said:

Cards win first game away 7- 6

Yanks one up v Washington

Dodgers, not Yanks.

Braves have had 'closing' issues all summer long which came back to bite them on the bum last night, hopefully we tie the series later this evening

Stunned by the Dodgers capitulation last night. I though we had it won at 3-1 and Kershaw coming in, but he then gave up consecutive Home Runs and the Nats won it in extra innings. I hope the Cards now beat the Nats in the NLCS but I think the AL winner will be favourite to win it all. I'm beginning to think that the Yankees may be the team to beat after their 3 game sweep of the Twins, while everyone else has been slugging it out over 5 games. I'll like their chances even more if the Rays beat the Astros tonight, which isn't likely but anything is possible after the 2 NL games yesterday.