The return of Pedro Martinez on Labor Day capped an extraordinarily successful holiday weekend for the New York Mets. With the unofficial end of the summer, the Amazins re-established themselves as the best team in the National League, a title they have treated with indifference for much of the regular season. But now, with the fall almost here and the finish line in sight, the Mets appear to be rounding into postseason form.
But the very fact that the Mets can play as sloppily as they have for three months without repercussions shows how far the National League has fallen. The disparity between the two leagues continues to widen and as we size up the World Series contenders, I wonder what would happen if the teams were ranked 1-8 regardless of league affiliation. Something tells me the Senior Circuit – despite the Cardinals’ fluke run in 2006 – might not be represented in the fall classic.
1. Boston Red Sox
I think the Yankees are as good on any given day, but the Red Sox have been more consistent in the key areas over the course of the season, so they get the nod. The lineup looks a little short, especially without Manny, but the bullpen combo of Hideki Okajima, Eric Gagne (yes, I know he has been awful in Boston) and Jonathan Papelbon is electric in the late innings. And the rotation is almost as solid, led by the rejuvenated Josh Beckett and – surprise, surprise – fellow 16-game winner Tim Wakefield. Curt Schilling’s midseason injury might be a blessing in disguise as well. Curt can use the time off and might be fresher in October for it.
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Yes, they have a ridiculous name. But the Angels also get the nod over the Yankees, mostly because of the way they have dominated New York over the past several seasons. The Angels also have an underrated lineup, led by the sensational Vladimir Guerrero and a host of solid speedsters who put constant pressure on the opposing team’s starting pitcher. One problem area: the demise of Scott Shields as an eighth inning setup man makes the Angels far less imposing in the late innings.
3. New York Yankees
There are days where this team looks like it doesn’t have a flaw. But the good start/bad start inconsistency of Roger Clemens and the inexperience at the back of the rotation (Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy) makes the Yankees into a Jekyll and Hyde bunch. New cult hero Joba Chamberlain has solidified the bullpen a bit, but Kyle Farnsworth is still shaky. Not to mention that for a team that leads the world in runs scored, they still have too many nights where the left-handed bats don’t hit.
4. New York Mets
The Yankees have a better lineup and bullpen than the Mets and the Mets’ rotation is dependent on too many old parts. But they play in a weak league and the bad taste that lingers from last year’s inexplicable loss to the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series should be a motivating factor. Plus, if Carlos Delgado can get it going – he showed some signs of life in the Mets’ recent sweep of the Braves – the lineup looks pretty long, especially when put up against some of those punch-and-Judy National League lineups.
5. Detroit Tigers
I know, they’re not even in a playoff spot as of this writing. But the Tigers are a solid club. The return of Joel Zumaya is a big boost for the bullpen and the lineup is powerful from top to bottom (Brandon Inge is a pretty good guy to have hitting ninth). They do need Gary Sheffield to come back and protect MVP candidate Magglio Ordonez, but this team has underachieved in the second half and could be dangerous if they make it to October.
6. San Diego Padres
The Padres are a notch above the Indians because of the first three starters they would throw out in a playoff series. Jake Peavy might be the best pitcher in baseball, Chris Young has been dominant when healthy and Greg Maddux has thrived pitching in that big ballpark. The bullpen, led by old reliable Trevor Hoffman, is good, but the lineup is the worst among all the contenders. In almost 400 plate appearances, Brian Giles has a putrid 41 RBI. And he’s one of their better hitters.
7. Cleveland Indians
There’s something I just don’t trust about the Cleveland Indians. They have a potent offense, especially if Travis Hafner can shake himself out of his season-long stupor. C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona have been two of the best starters in the American League. Maybe it’s just that any team with Joe Borowski as its closer doesn’t seem like a legitimate contender.
8. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs would be a nice story, especially since the White Sox and Red Sox have gotten the monkeys off their backs in recent years. And Lou Piniella would become a God in the Windy City if he ever steered the Cubbies to a world title. But their No. 1 starter, Carlos Zambrano, has been shaky all year and the lineup – with the exception of Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez – leaves a lot to be desired. The Cubs would have no shot to make the playoffs in the American League.
Contenders with no real shot to win it all: Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies.