2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball Season Heads into the Stretch Run
Juan Bernal
Issue date: 9/4/06 Section: Sports
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Heading into September, the 2006 season has been more competitive than ever. The National League has 13 of its League's 16 teams in contention for a playoff spot. In the American League, eight of its 14 teams have a chance to clinch one of the four available playoff spots.
In the American League, the Twins currently hold a slim ½ game lead over the White Sox for the American League Wild Card. The Yankees hold a 6 ½ game cushion over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.
The Yankees were able to catapult to such a big lead by sweeping five games from the Red Sox in Boston two weeks ago. The Red Sox have been baseball's coldest team and have lost 18 of their past 26 games. Meanwhile, the Yankees who were down four games at the All-Star break have been one of baseball's hottest teams after the acquisition of Bobby Abreu.
Despite injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, the Yankees have used players like Melky Cabrera and Andy Phillips to make sure they make their 13th straight postseason. The Detroit Tigers, who are baseball's best and most surprising team hold a four game lead on the Twins and a four and a half game lead on the defending Major League Baseball champion--Chicago White Sox. In the American League West, the resurgent Oakland Athletics hold a five and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
In the National League, the New York Mets are 14.5 games up on the Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins. In the process, the Mets are set to be ready to break the Atlanta Braves' record of 15 consecutive National League East titles.
The Braves are 61-68 and stand 18 ½ games out of first place. However, they still have an outside shot of making the playoffs as they stand only five games out of the Wild Card race. The Braves have been decimated by injuries and an inconsistent that ranks among the worst in the baseball.
In the Central Division, the St. Louis Cardinals, despite struggling mightily hold a two and half game lead over Wild Card leader Cincinnati. The Cardinals have had injuries as well, losing Albert Pujols for 15 games at the end of May and beginning of June. Also, an overworked bullpen and erratic starting pitching has lead to struggles which could affect them winning games in October.
In the American League, the Twins currently hold a slim ½ game lead over the White Sox for the American League Wild Card. The Yankees hold a 6 ½ game cushion over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.
The Yankees were able to catapult to such a big lead by sweeping five games from the Red Sox in Boston two weeks ago. The Red Sox have been baseball's coldest team and have lost 18 of their past 26 games. Meanwhile, the Yankees who were down four games at the All-Star break have been one of baseball's hottest teams after the acquisition of Bobby Abreu.
Despite injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, the Yankees have used players like Melky Cabrera and Andy Phillips to make sure they make their 13th straight postseason. The Detroit Tigers, who are baseball's best and most surprising team hold a four game lead on the Twins and a four and a half game lead on the defending Major League Baseball champion--Chicago White Sox. In the American League West, the resurgent Oakland Athletics hold a five and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
In the National League, the New York Mets are 14.5 games up on the Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins. In the process, the Mets are set to be ready to break the Atlanta Braves' record of 15 consecutive National League East titles.
The Braves are 61-68 and stand 18 ½ games out of first place. However, they still have an outside shot of making the playoffs as they stand only five games out of the Wild Card race. The Braves have been decimated by injuries and an inconsistent that ranks among the worst in the baseball.
In the Central Division, the St. Louis Cardinals, despite struggling mightily hold a two and half game lead over Wild Card leader Cincinnati. The Cardinals have had injuries as well, losing Albert Pujols for 15 games at the end of May and beginning of June. Also, an overworked bullpen and erratic starting pitching has lead to struggles which could affect them winning games in October.
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