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There are lower than 30 video games remaining within the MLB common season and a lot continues to be to be decided. From an MVP battle for the ages to the house run king to a three-way divisional race and wide-open wild-card chases, this September can be one to recollect. The baseball season is usually considered a marathon, however now could be when it turns into a dash.
With that, let’s dive proper into the highest storylines for the house stretch of the 2023 season.
5. Acuña or Betts?
The MVP race in the National League, for almost all of the season, has been a blowout. There was Ronald Acuña Jr., and no person actually near him. Well, that has modified, as this has develop into fairly a contest over the previous month. In reality, Mookie Betts has develop into the odds-on favourite to win the award. At this level, it is neck-and-neck and is anyone’s to win. Personally, I’m anticipating Acuña and Betts to each be incredible within the last weeks.
I actually suppose we’ll see a 30/70 yr from Acuña, which might be unprecedented (he is a homer away from the primary 30/60 season!). On the opposite aspect, you might have Betts main the NL in WAR and OPS and hitting .316. I nonetheless give Acuña the slight edge proper now, however this race is not near being determined.
4. Who’s going to steer the majors in homers?
Here’s guessing Shohei Ohtani will end first within the American League and Matt Olson within the National League. Ohtani (44) has a nine-homer lead, whereas Olson (43) is up 4 on Pete Alonso. The larger query is, which league chief will come out on high, and can they get to 50? Fifty stays a exceptional quantity, and I imagine Ohtani and Olson will each get there. As for who’ll come away with the general crown, all the uncertainty with Ohtani’s injury makes this a trickier estimation. But I do know 50 house runs is one thing he actually desires.
Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. or Dodgers’ Mookie Betts for NL MVP?
3. Who’s successful the NL’s wild wild-card race?
Entering Thursday, there are 4 groups inside three video games of one another for the ultimate bid. The Phillies are the highest wild-card seed and sitting fairly with a five-game cushion. The Cubs are subsequent they usually’re two video games up. Then issues get actually attention-grabbing. The Giants, Diamondbacks, Reds and Marlins are all bunched up and none of them have been constant within the second half. But barring one thing loopy, one of them will make the postseason. These races are a part of what make the game so thrilling this time of yr.
2. Can the Orioles maintain onto the AL’s high seed?
OK, the Orioles first must win the AL East. The Rays have performed their manner out of a summer season slumber and stay sizzling on Baltimore’s heels. This division would not belong to anybody, but. And with Felix Bautista out indefinitely, the Orioles might not be the AL favorites they as soon as gave the impression to be. But the push to win their division might set them as much as be the No. 1 seed within the league given what number of wins that can most likely require. Also, the Orioles nonetheless maintain a seven-game lead over the No. 2 seed. The significance of ending first total and securing home-field benefit can’t be overstated for these Orioles, whose roster options so little playoff expertise. The subsequent four-plus weeks, subsequently, current an excellent take a look at because the Rays are threatening to reclaim each the division and No. 1 seed and the Mariners, Astros, Rangers are inside attain of stealing the highest spot.
Can the Orioles win the AL East with out Félix Bautista?
1. Who’s going to win the AL West?
The most fascinating development to monitor in September is the AL West race. I feel we’re in retailer for among the best divisional finishes in an extended, very long time. Three actually good groups are concerned, they usually’re all doing various things. The Mariners are within the midst of their finest 50-game stretch since 2003 and have been baseball’s most fun membership within the second half of the season. They’re on a historic tempo, and so is Julio Rodríguez.
The Rangers, after all, are trending in the other way. It was just a few weeks in the past that they have been up 10 video games on the Mariners. They enter the weekend in third place. Then there’s the Astros, who can appear like the World Series staff that they’ve been after which disappear inside the identical week. The unpredictability of this trio, and the truth that they will go head-to-head a number of instances in late September, ensures an thrilling end.
Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University earlier than he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round choose of the Tigers in 2013. He spent 5 years within the Tigers group. Follow him on Twitter @BenVerlander.
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