Click here for the a look at Monday's MLB Standings.
Here are the MLB Standings heading into this weekend of baseball. We are at the halfway point of the month and some elimination numbers are about to hit single digits. Want to know what else is in single digits everywhere in baseball? First place team's division leads. Here are some of the teams in jeopardy of getting overtaken if they continue to struggle, plus, some of the teams attempting to put an end to any competitors' magical run.
St. Louis Cardinals: N.L. Central- 2 GB of Pittsburgh Pirates
So apparently, the Pirates' weakness is extra innings. The Cardinals won the first game of the series in the 14th inning and then Matt Holliday put things away in the 12th inning of last night's game with a walk-off single. In the end, the loss cost the Pirates a game in the N.L. Central standings. The last thing the Pirates want to do is remain this close to the Cardinals. These red birds have a history of coming back, especially in September. Just ask the Atlanta Braves who lost the Wild Card to a surging Cardinals team in 2011.
Up Ahead:
Cardinals: @Cubs (3 Gms), @Brewers (3 Gms), vs. Braves (3 Gms), vs. Reds (3 Gms)
Pirates: vs. Diamondbacks (3 Gms), @Padres (3 Gms), @Giants (3 Gms), vs. Brewers (3 Gms)
Boston Red Sox: Lead A.L. by 2.0 Games
In 2011, the reason why nobody paid attention to the 8.5-game lead the Braves' blew in September was because the choking Red Sox were worse that season. On Sept. 2, the Red Sox had a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card, but that was gone on the last day of baseball. The Rays are back again knocking on the Red Sox's door, but this time it's for the A.L. East division. It was a horrific road trip for the Red Sox that saw them lose 6 of 10. Meanwhile, boosted by their rookie Wil Myers, the Rays, who have also dropped 6 of 10, are on a two-game winning streak.
Up Ahead:
Rays: vs. Blue Jays (3 Gms), @Orioles (3 Gms), vs. Yankees (3 Gms), @Royals (1 Gm), vs. Angels (3 Gms)
Red Sox: vs. Yankees (3 Gms), @Giants (3 Gms), @Dodgers (3 Gms), vs. Orioles (3 Gms)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 8-Game Winning Streak, 7.5-Game Lead over D-Backs
Win. Win. Win. Win. Win. Win. Win. Win. That's eight W's in a row for the Dodgers. They looked like the biggest waste of money since, well, every time the Yankees don't win the World Series. The Dodgers are grooving and the Diamondbacks' days appear to be counted if this continues. However, before the N.L. West crown is handed down, the Diamondbacks are making a run themselves having won three straight games. Do they have what it takes to make a comeback?
Look Around the League: Other Teams in 1st Place
Atlanta Braves: 14.5-Game Lead in N.L. East
Detroit Tigers: 6.5-Game Lead in A.L. Central
Texas Rangers: 1.5-Game Lead in A.L. West
