A Race For October: National League

Just like the American League, many teams in the National League are piecing together the final puzzle pieces as September is just around the corner. Major League Baseball playoffs are not too far away and teams are preparing by adding a few key players for the final push to the big show in October. Unlike the American League, the National League playoff picture looks a bit clearer. Two divisions look to have their winner in place, while the third division may go down to the wire.

Nation League Playoff Picture:

East: It is no surprise to see the Philadelphia Phillies on top of the division. With probably the strongest and most know rotation in the game, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hammels have proven that pitching can take you to the top. But, not just pitching has helped this team this year. Ryan Howard has once again put up some impressive offensive numbers. And while Chase Utley has spent some time on the disabled list, he is finally back for the final month of baseball. Although with an already impressive lineup, the Phillies added talented Hunter Pence to anchor down right field. Pence have been a great addition to this lineup. The Atlanta Braves have also been very impressive. With one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball, the young and veteran talent has proven to be strong all season long. And with the addition of second baseman Dan Uggla, the Braves have the right handed power hitter they needed. But most impressive of all is rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman. He has helped carry this team’s offense all season long like a ten year veteran. Other than these two teams, the National League East seems to be no competition.

Central: The Milwaukee Brewers are hot right now. Keeping it a tight race all season long, the Brewers finally are gaining huge lead way to grabbing the Central Division title. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are both making strong cases for N.L. M.V.P. award. What started off as a close race with even the Pittsburg Pirates a possible playoff team has now become down to one team leading the way. The Brewers have won twenty four of their last twenty eight games as of today. They are on a hot streak that maybe even the St. Louis Cardinals might not be able to catch. With key injuries to pitching great Adam Wainwright, and a down season for the slugger Albert Pujols, the Cardinals may not be the team everyone thought they would be at the beginning of the season.

West: Unlike the East and the Central National League divisions, the West seems to be a bit of a tighter race. The team of Misfits, the San Francisco Giants are once again in a position to win the west. But, they are not in first. The Giants were looked on as the team to have a great chance of repeating a trip to the World Series, but key injuries, and poor offense, has had the Giants struggling towards this final push. Even after adding Carlos Beltran, a switch hitter with some pop, the team can’t seem to find a way to score runs. After losing Buster Posey to a season ending injury, the Giants have had struggles all season long. The Colorado Rockies may be adding to their team to possibly make a final playoff push, but they are not even a winning record team. The League leading Arizona Diamondbacks are the best team in the N.L. West right now. A team that was thought to be rebuilding is now a playoff contender. With strong, young pitching, and a steady offense lead by superstar Justin Upton, the Diamondbacks look to be serious about getting to the World Series.

Things could change. All a close team needs is a spark of energy and a great winning streak to upset any one of these divisions. It will be something to see as the final month of baseball starts next week.