The 2019 MLB All-Star Break is exactly a month away, beginning July 7th- meaning baseball’s midway point is on the horizon. April and May have come and gone and we are now a week into June. Baseball season is now in full swing. The majority of teams around the league have surpassed the 60-game mark and are beginning to develop an identity. Typically, by the break contenders and pretenders are separated as teams begin to prepare for a second half push.
The National and American Leagues have been polar opposites thus far, in 2019. The AL is top heavy. Teams that were expected to dominate in the preseason have already stolen the driver’s seat and hit the gas pedal. The NL, on the hand is an all out dog fight. The Dodgers still look like the team to beat, while the rest of the pack is battling it out. To put things into perspective, the NL Central is separated by just 6 games. No division in the AL has a margin less than 18.
While there is still more than sixty-percent of the regular season to be played, any team can get things rolling. Here, we’ll take a look at the three hottest teams from each league. These clubs have either separated themselves from the rest, or are shaping up to be the teams ready to make a run.
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
The Houston Astros currently hold the best record in the AL at 43-21. Houston appears to be on the way to winning the AL West for the third straight year. With their sights set on a second World Series in three years, the Astros have been clicking on all cylinders. If they’re able to get fully healthy, there are very few teams in baseball that can hang with ‘Stros elite team pitching and exceptional batting.
The New York Yankees currently lead the most entertaining division in the AL, with a record of 39-22. The AL East is quite possibly the best division in baseball. The Yankees kicked off 2019 plagued with injuries, but have prevailed and remained a top 10 team in both pitching and batting. While it took a few weeks for them to get healthy, New York has solidified themselves as the team to catch in the division. However, there is little room for error. The Rays are back in contention and trail by just 1.5 games. In addition, the defending champion Red Sox have seemed to gather themselves from an early season World Series hangover. The Sox are now just 6.5 games behind the Yankees. Keep an eye out for the AL East, as every game matters for these clubs.
Lastly, the surprise of the league has been the scorching hot Minnesota Twins. The Twins appear to be the real deal this season after a sub .500 campaign, in 2018. Minnesota claims a 41-20 record and shows no signs of slowing down. The second place Indians need to improve from being stuck in the mud at .500, if they plan to regain power in the AL Central, as they trail by 10.5 games. The Twins are the number 1 ranked batting team in the majors. Paired with a top 10 team pitching rank, Minnesota should cruise into the break.
Honorable mentions: Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A’s, Texas Rangers
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have represented the NL in back-to-back World Series. The Dodgers have their sights set on making a third straight appearance, with hopes to win this time around. They’ve successfully stuck to the script thus far. LAD is 43-20 and holding onto first in the NL West by 10 games. Like the Astros in the AL, the Dodgers are amongst an elite tier, and when healthy are a top team in baseball. Their success is due in part to a balanced attack. LAD is ranked in the MLB’s top 3 in both team batting and pitching.
The Colorado Rockies may seem to be a head scratcher to show up on this list, as they trail LAD by 10 games in the West. However, The Rockies are a team that are heating up at the right time. With a decent 32-29 record, Colorado has some work to do. They seem to be up to the task. Since their dismal 3-12 start to the season, the Rockies are 29-17 and have won eight of their last ten outings. Team batting has led the run, ranking 7th in the MLB. If the Rockies want to lock in a wildcard spot this year, they’ll need to improve on their 26th ranked team pitching. If they do so, watch out for Colorado.
Our last spot on the list was a tough call, due to the high level of competitiveness in the NL. With that being said, the Philadelphia Phillies with a 35-27 record and a current lead in the East make the cut. The Braves are just 2 games behind and are heating up themselves. However, Philly is finding ways to fend off the field. A trade with Seattle this week sending All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce to the Phillies put the league on notice. The Phillies are in it to win it and have proved that they are willing to make every move to make it happen, even if that means backing in the Brinks Truck for Bryce Harper. In terms of statistics, they are putting out very average batting and pitching numbers. However, stats aren’t everything and Philly continues to find ways to win. A great month of June could be huge for them heading into the playoff race.
Honorable mentions: Braves, Nationals, the entire NL Central
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