MLB Update September (What teams to watch?)

What a month it has been for the sport of baseball. From the Little League World Series to the world stage at the Olympics. In the past month, the Mets have fallen off and climbed back in the National League East standings, the Giants have very surprisingly still maintained first place in the National League West, the American League has become and remained wide open, and the Yankees have still found themselves almost completely out of the American League East race and barely hanging on to the second Wild Card Spot. This is in my opinion the best time of year for sports and the MLB is a giant reason for this.

Threats to win it all: These are teams I at the moment believe will win their respective leagues.

Houston Astros: At the moment, I believe this team will win the American League, and although they cheated to get there a couple of years ago, they weren't the only ones so I don't think the act is unforgivable. They have a relatively new manager in Dusty Baker whom I love and think should have stayed with the Washington Nationals. I really hope he can get a World Series ring with this team because he has taken a team facing a lot of pressure, a whole lot of adversity, and a playoff atmosphere every time they play on the road. If they are to get back to the promise land, they will do it because of their pitching. Honestly in a shootout, I think they have the firepower to outscore anybody in the league but to go far as any team does, they need to have an elite pitching performance all around. That is what carried them there in 2017 and 2019, but it is what cost them the World Series in 2019 and American League Championship in 2018. Zack Greinke and Kendall Graveman don't need to throw complete games every time they pitch, but if they can go six innings at least two starts in the postseason each, this team will have its second ring in four years. With their easy schedule, there is a strong chance they can get a home advantage through the American League playoffs. Next Series: Los Angeles Angels

Milwaukee Brewers: I have previously talked about this team, and said this is a team I think can go all the way, but they will have to work on their hitting. Since then they have improved, not a whole lot but instead of 29th, they are now 23rd in batting average in Major League Baseball. Could still work on it, but I think this is a good start, unlike the Astros, their pitching is phenomenal and their hitting is what will get them to reach the promise land. In the postseason, pitching is what makes or breaks every team, just look at the Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014, look at the Nationals in 2019, and look at the Dodgers in 2020. Pitching really is the biggest difference even in high-scoring battles. We will see if their hitting can make them a World Series bound team with the twelve-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, they can breathe a little easy over the next few weeks. Next Series: Cleveland Indians

Wild Cards to Watch: These are teams that's future is really up in the air and teams that are going to be really entertaining to follow over the next month.

New York Mets: The Mets are near back to full health, except Jacob deGrom whose status remains unknown, Noah Syndergaard will make this team complete. They have lost just three games since August 28th, granted they have not played great teams, but they have fought out victories night after night, day after day. This team faced a lot of adversity last week, but they have still kept going, and I, as a Mets fan don't mind controversy, as long as it doesn't derail the season. The fans lit a fire under the team and I hope this fire they have lit can keep burning, they face a difficult road, with every team they face except for the Marlins having a winning record. It is good to be back above .500 though, and only four games back of first place of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. No matter what happens the rest of the way, I am happy my team is competing for a playoff spot, I am truly happy with my team as a fan. Next series: New York Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays: I am so excited to watch this team play over the next month because I know for a fact that they can send real shockwaves throughout the league if they can get the job done. That job is to take over the Yankees wild card spot who have a critical series this weekend. This Blue Jays team to me is the biggest surprise of the year, I did not expect them to be still competing for a playoff spot this late in the season. They are really young, and this is going to sound crazy to say but I truly believe that the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays are the future of this division. With a win tonight they will have swept the Yankees and be able to breathe somewhat easier, only true test they will face will be the Tampa Bay Rays whom they play twice. They have one of the explosive offenses in baseball and they are second to the favorites to win the American League. They will be fun to watch and if they are on T.V. it is no way that I will miss that game. Next Series: Baltimore Orioles

Time to Get it Together: It's do or die for these teams and these teams are not supposed to be in this position.

New York Yankees: We have said this before and when I mentioned this a month ago, I honestly thought they would be able to correct their issues with the team they have and the additions they made. To have the hitting lineup they have with Khris Bryant now in there and the pitching rotation now being almost fully healthy, there is no excuse to be one game up on the Blue Jays in the Wild Card race and almost completely out of the AL East race, being nine games behind the Rays. If they don't win tonight and don't win the series this weekend against the Mets, I honestly don't see them holding off the Blue Jays for that last Wild Card Spot. With the Blue Jays schedule being very easy, I don't see them losing more than seven games. The Yankees on the other hand, have their work cut out for them, playing the Mets, Red Sox, Indians, Blue Jays, and the Rays all down the stretch. That being said, all this can change with a win Tonight, and a series win this weekend. Next Series: New York Mets

San Diego Padres: They are in a very similar position to the Yankees, have an abundance of talent but have still found a way to have to fight for the last wild card spot, only being one game ahead of the cardinals. Blake Snell is one of my favorite pitchers in the league and I thought the move to San Diego would help them win the division and make them real contenders for the World Series but they are way out of the division race, might be able to catch up but they need to act fast. Their competition is real steep and their division is the best so I am certainly not ready to be confident enough to say that they will hold off both the Cardinals and the Phillies. That being said, I believe they can do it, they definitely have the firepower up and down the roster to pull it off. It all starts Tomorrow night against the Dodgers. Not one easy game left, but if anybody can pull a feat this big, it's the Padres.

Next Series: Los Angeles Dodgers

Writer's Note: The Subway Series between the Mets and Dodgers is happening this weekend because it is twenty years since The Terror Attacks of 9/11. It must be said given everything going on in this world, it is a true blessing we get to play, listen, attend, and/or watch sports, no matter what sport it is. We must remember to be thankful for all of the first-responders that saved lives on that tragic day. Must also be grateful for all of the soldiers and never forget all the fallen veterans that risked their lives to fight for our freedoms and fight terror. We must remember in this current age no matter what religion, race, gender, sexuality, or political views you share, we are all Americans and we must all love and respect each other. Thanks for your time and have a wonderful weekend. Never Forget.