MLB Update

For the record, this has to be one of the most boring regular seasons in baseball history. There are only about three or four really good teams in baseball, and they don't have anything to play for until October. Also, I should point out that in each league, the two best teams are both in the Eastern Division.

Here are the current standings (division leaders in italics):

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

1. Philadelphia: 69-39 (0)
2. Atlanta: 63-47 (7)
3. San Francisco: 61-48 (8.5)
4. Milwaukee: 61-49 (9)
5. Arizona: 60-49 (9.5)
6. St. Louis: 57-52 (12.5)
7. N.Y. Mets: 55-54 (14.5)
8. Pittsburgh: 54-53 (14.5)
9. Florida: 54-55 (15.5)
10. Cincinnati: 53-56 (16.5)
11. Washington: 52-56 (17)
12. Colorado: 51-58 (18.5)
13. Los Angeles: 49-59 (20)
14. San Diego: 47-63 (23)
15. Chicago: 44-65 (25.5)
16. Houston: 36-73 (33.5)

The Phillies have run off and left everyone. The only interesting stories left in the regular season are: Can the Giants get back to the playoffs? Can Pittsburgh finish with a winning record for the first time since the early 1990s? And can Atlanta win the wild card even though their schedule is incredibly difficult? (There are no interesting stories in the Central Division; those teams are almost unwatchable.)

Predictions:
East: Philadelphia
Central: Milwaukee
West: San Francisco
Wild Card: Atlanta

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

1. Boston: 66-41 (0)
2. New York: 65-42 (1)
3. Texas: 61-48 (6)
4. Los Angeles: 59-50 (8)
5. Detroit: 57-51 (9.5)
6. Tampa Bay: 56-51 (10)
7. Cleveland: 54-52 (11.5)
8. Toronto: 55-53 (11.5)
9. Chicago: 52-55 (14)
10. Minnesota: 50-58 (16.5)
11. Oakland: 49-60 (18)
12. Kansas City: 46-62 (20.5)
13. Seattle: 46-62 (20.5)
14. Baltimore: 42-63 (23)

If the Yankees and Red Sox were battling for the same playoff spot, the next two months would feature some absolutely compelling baseball. In fact, I would be checking on those two teams every single night. As it is, there is really no reason to watch the American League at all unless the Yankees and Red Sox meet in the ALCS. I'm happy to see that the Orioles are 10 games worse than the Nats, but I don't expect anyone outside of D.C. to share my enthusiasm on that point.

Predictions:
East: Boston
Central: Detroit
West: Los Angeles
Wild Card: New York