What about the league?

Yes another perusal post because they didn't play! And they aren't interesting right now! Look Stras will be back on Friday and Garcia will get enough ABs that we can look at how he's doing and probably something else will happen.  There's stuff coming. Join me on the Dondrei Hubbard bandwagon while it's still nice and empty for a nice story. 

But there's reasons for all these. We peruse early because there isn't anything much to talk about. We peruse around Memorial Day because that's when we have enough data and games to really start saying things. We peruse around the ASB because the trade deadline and the pennant stretch comes after that. We peruse around Labor Day because the season is about to end and we can mostly put a cap on it. So peruse we will. Peruse we must.

AL East - the Yankees haven't slowed down (on a current 6-0, 10-2 stretch) with the best offense and by far the best pitching in the AL. Every SP move is best case and Judge is still MVP. But the Blue Jays, Rays, and Red Sox are all above average in both hitting and pitching with Toronto and Tampa being the 6th and 9th best teams in baseball by record. A slow start for Boston has them at 13 but they've been on a roll to get over .500.  Even the Orioles... well they aren't a sneaky .500 team or anything but they aren't the worst. 

Story into ASB - where will Boston's surge put itself in regards to Toronto and Tampa?

AL Central - Minnesota has held it's position while unlucky Cleveland and lucky Chicago battle (12-3 in their last 15 games decided by 2 runs or fewer) for second. Detroit has found a .500 ish rhythm but likely too late to surprise challenge for a playoff spot like some had though.  KC is playing out the string. 

Story into ASB - the White Sox were built for now. Are they going to be able to get into position and will they do anything once there?

AL West - Dusty quietly keeps winning. The Astros are the 4th best team in baseball and has a 27-9 stretch that somehow no one talked about. After looking like they might be good the Angels are collapsing, losers of 12 straight while the Rangers and Mariners trade off who might be ok at the moment (currently the Mariners). The A's just can't compete after the latest gutting.

Story into ASB - can the Angels hang on to relevance? Everyone wants to see Ohtani and Trout in the playoffs. 

NL East - The Mets are still dominant. The Braves might finally be waking up after spending the season as the definition of middling. They are on a 5-0 run after going from Opening Day until last week without winning or losing three in a row. The Phillies fired Girardi to wake up the team in lieu of getting that ace pitcher and closer they've needed since 2018 and well they have won 4 in a row (and Bryce is putting together another MVP effort - while hurt). The Marlins pitching has not been good enough to counter what was going to be a weak offense. 

Story into ASB - Do either the Braves or Phillies secure 2nd?

NL Central - While the Brewers sprinted out ahead, the Cardinals have two steps forward, one step back ed their way to the same spot. Both are solid but the Cardinals look a bit more complete. The Pirates have been the lucky team so sit in third but the Cubs (basically a .500 team) and the Reds (.500 since April) are better so expect it to even out and Pittsburgh to find it's way to the bottom with a long losing streak at some point. 

Story into ASB - Brewers Cardinals battle like it's 1982. Who gets what to put them over the other.

NL West - Dodgers are the Yankees though they tend to go on long streaks and little slumps instead of spreading out losses. Best offense and pitching in National League. The Padres have used their arms to secure 2nd (remember Tatis hasn't played all year), while after looking like they might repeat 2021's magic the Giants have scuffled and fallen to third behind some less than magical pitching and luck. The D-backs and Rockies are both bad and can be ignored

Story into ASB - Probably will the Giants stay relevant in the West.  They probably will for the Wild Card but they may not push if that's where they fall.