Brewers’ Domain and Battle in the National League
The Milwaukee Brewers remain firm at the top of the MLB standings, solidifying themselves as the best team of the season. Despite losing three of four games against the Cubs, division rivals, the Brewers continue to show their power. In the National League, the competition for playoff spots intensifies. Phillies, Dodgers, and Cubs remain in the fight, followed by the Brewers. These four high-caliber teams are in the top six. In the American League, Detroit and Toronto continue to stand out. The Tigers, who have climbed to the top three, are ahead of the Blue Jays by one and a half games. The Yankees, after a slight dip, seem to have regained their form and are looking to cut Toronto’s lead. The Alofoke Deportes expert panel has evaluated each team, considering their current performance and pre-season expectations for the 162-game season.Detailed Analysis of the Teams
1. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 79-48. The Brewers lead the NL, with a five-game lead over Philadelphia. Their probability of securing the top spot is high, at 82%. In the past, the Brewers have leveraged this position to go far in the playoffs.Milwaukee has entered the postseason as a 1-seed twice, both times translating it into deep playoff runs.
Bradford Doolittle
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 74-53. Zack Wheeler’s health is the main concern, as a blood clot could end his season. Aaron Nola’s return was not good, but Ranger Suarez had a great performance and Cristopher Sanchez continues to prove his worth. Bryce Harper hit two long-distance home runs in the same game.Harper became the first Phillies player with two 440-foot home runs in the same game
David Schoenfield
3. Detroit Tigers
Record: 76-53. Tarik Skubal continues to solidify his Cy Young candidacy, with an outstanding performance against the Astros. Garrett Crochet and Hunter Brown have also had outstanding seasons.Skubal became the first pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts this season.
Jorge Castillo
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 72-55. Clayton Kershaw, in his eighteenth season, remains a key figure, although his strikeout average has decreased.Kershaw has achieved an ERA of 3.01, with an ERA+ of 139.
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5. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 74-54. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered a hamstring injury, although tests showed only inflammation. His prolonged absence could affect the Jays’ aspirations.Guerrero is the cornerstone of the Toronto franchise.
Jorge Castillo
6. Chicago Cubs
Record: 73-54. Despite some offensive struggles, the Cubs’ pitching staff has been consistent. They have held their opponents to three runs or less in most of their games.The Cubs have held their opponents to three runs or fewer 70 times this season, the most in baseball.
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7. San Diego Padres
Record: 71-56. The Padres’ reinforced offense hasn’t shown major changes since the additions. The key question is whether the lack of home runs will be a problem in the playoffs.8. New York YankeesRecord: 69-57. The Yankees are more dangerous with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup. Judge’s recovery is crucial for the team.San Diego is 22nd in runs this season, mainly because it ranks 29th in home runs.
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With Judge in the lineup, the team is more dangerous.
Jorge Castillo
9. Houston Astros
Record: 69-58. The Astros’ bullpen has struggled after the All-Star break. Yordan Alvarez began his rehabilitation assignment.The Astros were without Josh Hader until at least the end of September.
David Schoenfield
10. Seattle Mariners
Record: 68-60. The Mariners had a winning streak followed by a difficult road trip. Logan Gilbert has struggled on the road.Logan Gilbert has allowed a .293 average on the road.
David Schoenfield
11. Boston Red Sox
Record: 68-59. The Red Sox have performed well at home, fueled by the support of the fans. Roman Anthony has emerged as a key figure.12. New York MetsRecord: 67-59. The Mets won a series against Seattle, with Mark Vientos standing out. Nolan McLean, in his debut, impressed with his strikeouts.The emergence of 21-year-old Roman Anthony has helped.
Jorge Castillo
Nolan McLean, made his MLB debut and looked very impressive by striking out eight batters.
David Schoenfield
13. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 67-61. The Reds are in the fight for a playoff spot. They have a key series against the Mets after Labor Day.The Reds have won series while increasing their playoff odds.
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14. Cleveland Guardians
Record: 64-62. The Guardians are close to a wild card spot thanks to their excellent bullpen. Closer Emmanuel Clase is out due to a gambling investigation.Cleveland’s bullpen ranks fourth in the majors with a 3.07 ERA.
Jorge Castillo
15. Kansas City Royals
Record: 65-62. Bobby Witt Jr. joined a select group of players with 100 home runs and 100 steals in his first four seasons. Witt has had a remarkable performance.Bobby Witt Jr. is third in the majors in fWAR.
Jorge Castillo
16. Texas Rangers
Record: 63-65. The Rangers have had a slump in August, decreasing their playoff chances. The pitching has struggled.The pitching, which had been so good all season, finally broke down a bit and recorded an ERA of 5.66.
David Schoenfield
17. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 61-66. The Rays were defeated by the Yankees at their own spring training camp. Shane Baz struggled in that game.Shane Baz’s numbers at Steinbrenner Field are terrible.
Jorge Castillo
18. San Francisco Giants
Record: 61-66. The Giants’ season has stalled. The team has suffered a pitching collapse.19. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 63-65. The Cardinals haven’t played well nor have they hit rock bottom, staying at an average level. It’s likely they’ll have fewer than 89 wins. After the 1999 season, his three-year mark dropped to .475.The Giants were on pace to score 684 runs and allow 567.
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20. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 62-66. The Diamondbacks are at the top of the league in runs in August. Jordan Lawlar is close to returning.The Diamondbacks are tied for fourth in the majors in runs scored.
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21. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 61-66. The Angels need to develop starting pitchers who strike out more batters. Kyle Hendricks and Jack Kochanowicz have low strikeout rates.The Angels need to find a way to develop starting pitchers who can strike out some batters.
David Schoenfield
22. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 59-67. Samuel Basallo has debuted and has had a promising start. He is the youngest position player to debut in MLB this season.Basallo can hit. The question is whether he will stay behind the plate or move to first base.
Jorge Castillo
23. Miami Marlins
Record: 60-67. The Marlins are out of the wild card race. Jakob Marsee has been a bright spot.Marsee has shown an above-average contact rate and good plate discipline so far.
David Schoenfield
24. Atlanta Braves
Record: 58-69. The Braves will need a shortstop on the offseason shopping list. Nick Allen has struggled at the plate.Allen has been one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, but his complete lack of production at the plate has helped sink the offense.
David Schoenfield
25. Minnesota Twins
Record: 58-68. The Pohlad family will remain the principal owner of the Twins and will add new investors.The family announced that it will remain the main owner of the club and will add new investors.
Jorge Castillo
26. Athletics
Record: 58-70. Nick Kurtz has continued to hit well, and his walk rate continues to increase.He should reach 502 at-bats by the end of the season.
David Schoenfield
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 54-74. Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled this season. The team is on pace to score its fewest runs since 1985.The Pirates are on pace to score just 570 runs this season.
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28. Chicago White Sox
Record: 45-82. Luis Robert Jr. has improved his performance recently. He could be a trade candidate this winter.Robert is batting .300 with an OPS of .833 in 30 games.
Jorge Castillo
29. Washington Nationals
Record: 51-75. Dylan Crews has returned from the injured list. He needs to show a good performance for 2026.Crews needs to start showing something so the Nationals can count on him for 2026.
David Schoenfield
30. Colorado Rockies
Record: 37-90. The Rockies have performed decently in recent games. The offense has improved since the All-Star break.The Rockies are on pace to lose between 115 and 116 games and allow more than 1,000 runs.
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