Race for the Flag

It's Monday night, August 17. About 1 1/2 months from the end of the Major League Baseball season. And while the NFL pre-season is underway, my eyes are still on the prize.

AL East

The Yankees play since the All-Star break has been phenomenal and has allowed them to build a 7 1/2 game division lead over Boston. The Red Sox are 6-9 in August and 11-17 in their last 28 games. They've not only seen their division lead go by the wayside, but their Wildcard lead as well. The teams meet up in a big series this weekend in Boston, with the Yankees having a chance to bury their rivals even more in the divisional race.

Also this week - Yankees at A's, Red Sox at Blue Jays

Al Central

Detroit has struggled at times, but so have the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, enabling the Tigers to remain atop the central division. The Tigers strengthened their offense earlier today, acquiring Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for a minor leaguer.

Entering Monday night's play, the White Sox trailed Detroit by 2 1/2 games. They're 7-7 in August and just 2 games over .500. It remains to be seen whether the acquisitions of Jake Peavy, who has yet to appear in a Chisox uniform, or Alex Rios will be enough to put the White Sox over the top.

Minnesota, meanwhile is fading quickly from the picture. They're lack of hitting and a major injury to Kevin Slowey have really hurt the ball club. They're 5 games under .500 and 6 1/2 behind the Tigers.

Schedule - Tigers at Mariners, A's; White Sox host Royals, Orioles; Twins at Rangers, Royals


AL West

Mike Scioscia and the front office continue to get it done year in and year out. This year is no different despite a rash of major injuries, the tragic death of Nick Adenhardt, and a less than stellar bullpen. But the veterans have been steady, Brian Fuentes has stepped up in the closer's role, and an, at times, patchwork starting rotation has managed to get things done. Jered Weaver and Bobby Abreu, in particular, have really stepped up their games.

People have expected the Texas Rangers to fade from sight, but it hasn't happened yet. In fact, the Rangers entered Monday's play in the AL Wildcard lead after taking 2 of 3 from Boston. They're still within spitting distance of the Angels as well at 4 1/2 games back. Texas finally jettisoned Vincente Padilla today as rookie Tommy Hunter has stood out.

This week - Angels at Orioles (1), Indians, Blue Jays; Rangers host Twins, at Rays


NL East

The Phillies have had problems with consistency, but there's no NL East team strong enough to make a real run at them. The Marlins and Braves may be staying close, but it's not happening, take my word for it. Not with the way Cliff Lee is pitching. The Phillies should feast this week with games against the Diamondbacks and Mets.

The Marlins and Braves are very much in the Wildcard race, 2 and 3 games back of Colorado, respectively. The Fish have two of the biggest emerging stars in pitcher Josh Johnson and shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

On paper, the Braves don't look so special, but their starting rotation and a solid bullpen have kept them afloat. The Braves hopes could take a blow though if closer Rafael Soriano continues to be bothered my muscle discomfort in his right shoulder.

NL Central

The Cardinals were a good team that got immeasurably better with the acquisitions of Matt Holliday (.459-5-22 in 21 games) and Julio Lugo (.354 14 runs in 19 games). And of course there is Albert Pujols, who leads the team in just about every offensive category. You really can't see the Cards blowing their 5 game lead over the struggling Cubs. The Cards have a huge series beginning tonight with the Dodgers before facing the lowly Padres.

The Cubs are 5 games behind St. Louis, but it might as well be 20. They've had no consistency in any part of their game. Ryan Theriot (.301) is the only regular hitting above .300 and closer Kevin Gregg has not been very good. On the up side, the Cubs are just 2 games in back of the Rockies in the Wildcard loss column. The Cubs' schedule flip flops with the Cards, playing the Pads and then Dodgers.

NL West

Despite the horrific injury to Hiroki Kuroda, the Dodgers division lead is completely safe. They just need to get to the finish line in one piece. Just like the Cards, the Dodgers lead is "just" 5 games over the Rockies, but that lead is going nowhere.

The Rockies turned things around once Jim Tracy took the helm and past the Giants for the NL Wildcard lead. The Rockies can feast on the Nats for 3 games before a huge series with the Giants.

The Giants have played well all season, led by the outstanding pitching of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and the surprise season of Pablo Sandoval, who leads the team in batting average, HR, and RBI. After wrapping up a series with the Mets tonight, the Giants prepare for the Rockies series with a 3-game set against the Reds.