Haves, have-nots eye riveting stretch drive
Mookie Betts and the major league-leading Red Sox are on pace for 100-plus wins. Same for Aaron Judge and the Yankees, and the World Series champion Astros, too.
The Orioles, White Sox and Royals are on track to lose more than 100.
It’s the haves and the have-nots as baseball returns after the All-star break.
“There’s a few good teams out there that they’re going to make it interesting in the second half,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “… We had a great first part of the season, but that doesn’t guarantee us anything in October.”
The Dodgers know all about October, and they are a World Series contender once again. Especially with the addition of Manny Machado.
The National League West leaders got a head start on the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline by sending five prospects to Baltimore on Wednesday for Machado, an All-star shortstop capable of powering Los Angeles to its first title in 30 years.
Plenty of players figure to be on the move.
If the last-place Mets decide to rebuild, aces Jacob degrom and Noah Syndergaard could shake up the playoff race. Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels and Reds right-handers Raisel Iglesias and Matt Harvey also could be headed for new homes. Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and Twins second baseman Brian Dozier could provide hitting help for a contender.
The Padres could ship out relievers Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen. They are the lone team out of the conversation in the NL West, where the Dodgers’ lead over fourth-place San Francisco is four games.
The Cubs have the NL’S best record after chasing Milwaukee for much of the first half, and the NL East looks like a three-team race.
Washington was supposed to be one of the haves this year, but it hasn’t worked out so far. The Nationals hit the break with a .500 record, looking up at the Phillies and Braves.
But ace right-hander Stephen Strasburg, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and closer Sean Doolittle are set to return from injuries, and it looked as if Bryce Harper regained his swagger with his win in the Allstar Home Run Derby in his home park.
While the NL features three tight division races, there is nothing like the duel in the American League East or the crowded AL West.
The Red Sox and Yankees have the majors’ best two records, and one of them could be headed for the wildcard game.
The Astros are in position to become the first repeat World Series winner since the Yankees from 1998 to 2000, but any stumble and the Mariners or Athletics could push Houston into a precarious spot.
In Boston, Betts is making a case for the AL MVP award, and Chris Sale leads the strikeout-crazy majors with 188 Ks.