The MLB Report will largely be about the playoff chase for these last four weeks of the season. Over in the National League, a wildcard race that I felt was really only between two teams now includes nine. I saw a graphic on ESPN today that showed the records of the teams in the hunt over the last twelve games. Only the Dodgers had a record over .500 in that span (7-5). That is to say, none of the teams involved have decided to really grab hold and run away with it. I am not a fan of the wildcard system, but I realize that it does accomplish what the MLB brass wants it to. Namely, meaningful games for more teams in September. With few exceptions, every NL game for the next few weeks will be meaningful to at least one of the teams involved. I have no real preference here - I guess I'm rooting for underdogs like Montreal and Florida - the teams that weren't supposed to be here at all.
With the loss of his father last week, Barry Bonds has missed some time, but he still plays his A-game when he is in the lineup. He's missed 9 or 10 of his last 14 games. Of the 4 or 5 games he has played in the last two weeks he has 3 home runs. That puts him at 653 for his career, 7 shy of tying Willie Mays for third on the all-time list. There's now even talk of Barry winning his seventh MVP award and second consecutive over Albert Pujols. I seriously doubt it will happen, but it seems clear that no player affects his team more than Barry Bonds.
For a short time there, the Brewers were the hottest team in baseball. The strung together 10 straight wins. They've also won 4 consecutive series for the first time since 1996.
The central division races in both leagues, like the NL wildcard race, are just too close to call. It does seem that the Twins in the AL and the Cubs in the NL are having the hardest time even getting to first place, while the Cardinals and Astros in the NL and Royals and White Sox in the AL seem to trade two or three times a week. I do feel that the NL Central champion is still a legitimate contender for the NL championship, while the AL central champ will be making just a cameo appearance. As always, time will tell.