AL East Race, AL Wild Card, and full on sprint to the finish line.
We take a look at the final stretch of the long 162 MLB regular season, predictions and trending play.
The Rays have 25 games to go in the MLB regular season, with a 4.5 game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. With the 3 of the top teams fighting vehemently for a higher playoff position. Rays have fended off the American League with a 18-10 record in August, narrowly keeping the Yankees (16-12 in Aug) as well as the Red Sox (17-12 in Aug)
Story Lines to Watch...
Jonathan Aranda has been in an extended slump for the Rays. The career .275 hitter has been batting .252 over his last 30, and .193 over his last 15. Aranda is an integral part of the Rays offense and routinely bats 1-3 everyday in the lineup. On the bright side Aranda is Slugging .481 over his last 7 with 2 HRs. I will be keeping an eye on his performance in September, specifically looking at the Yankee Series this month for him to have a huge series to secure the 1 seed for Tampa.
Chandler Simpson, I don't think enough can be said about the perofrmance of Chandler Simpson this year. Huge improvements on defense, ability to get on base, and just putting the ball in play. Simpson is batting .360/.333/.356 over his last 7, 15, and 30 games respectively. Essentially since the All Star break he has one of the best BA in all of MLB. Simpson has been clutch too, coming through late against the Padres in a roller coaster matchup. I look for Chandler to make some improvements in the stolen base department, he is getting caught at an extremely high rate for someone with his speed.
Aaron Judge hasn't played an MLB game since May 31st, one of the best hitters in the MLB. The Yankees have been scrappy and nothing short of miraculous to maintain relevancy in the American League without him. The Yankees have relied on elite pitching from their starting rotation, HR power top-down their lineup, and an emergence of Ben Rice filling in a large void from Judge quite nicely. Media pundits have been hesitant to crown Tampa the top team due to the return of Judge possibly changing the lay out of the American League as we know it. Reports by Alex Butler of MSN, Judge could return by Sept. 8th. Well before the series matchup between the Rays & Yankees. I'm interested into seeing how his return helps the Yankees and if the Rays could maintain the cushion they've created up until this point in the season.
Max Fried returned from injury Aug. 29th against the Red Sox. Boone eased Fried into the rotation, looking strong, throwing 63 pitches through 3.2 Innings, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 3 Hits & surrendering 1 ER. The veteran southpaw is a vital part of the Yankees staff and likely with be a huge apart of their October & November plans for success. Fried has only pitched 90 Innings this year, at a minuscule 2.80 ERA. The Yankees want to make sure Fried is ready for postseason play and at 100% especially if they cannot secure the 1 seed and the bye.
Garrett Crochet hasn't pitched since April and is still hoping to return before season ends. Reports indicate he will not be a starter upon return and would end up bolstering an already strong bullpen. With Bello pitching from a bulk reliever role I expect them two to pitch in the same game to eat some innings in a creative fashion.
Willson Contreras has been the emotional heartbeat of the Red Sox and their return to playoff contention this year. Slashing at an elite rate of .274/.384/.900 though this point of the season his performance has been irreplaceable for Boston. Through his last 30 games Contreras is slumping mightily, slashing .212/.366/.384. The Red Sox need him to be at least average for them to remain competitive in the final stretch as well as going into the playoffs. Aug 31st Contreras was placed on 10 day IL due to hamstring strain, maybe that time off gives him the rest needed to come back refreshed and bring the Red Sox back on the momentum train they so much would love to return to.