The Major League Baseball trade deadline is exactly one week away, set for Aug. 3, and the league is in a state of limbo. The teams don't look good, but that's not the bar for contention these days. With the playoffs expanded and much of the league stuck in mediocrity, especially in the American League, teams are now trying to figure out how much of the future to mortgage in order to roll the dice for what could be a team to miss the playoffs.
The Houston Astros are three games under .500, but only two games out in both the wild card and the lackluster AL West. They were on a five-game winning streak before Sunday's loss.
In the midst of this uncertainty, the New York Yankees are emerging as the team to beat. With a strong record and solid roster, they are well-positioned to take advantage of the chaos unfolding around them.
The Minnesota Twins are one game under .500 with a -27 run differential, which is hardly good. However, they are only one game out of a playoff spot right now. The Mariners and Orioles are also surprisingly close to contention, with the Mariners two games under .500 and the Orioles six games under .500.
The Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, continue to linger in contention despite being six games under .500. They are 3 ½ games out of the wild-card race, and with every contender eyeing two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers are likely to be a team to watch in the coming days.
The St. Louis Cardinals are just a game over .500 with a -1 run differential, but they are only 1.5 out of playoff position. The Washington Nationals, who are rebuilding their roster with a new front office, are also a surprise contender, despite being a dreadful 22-32 at home.
The San Diego Padres are another team that seems to be flying under the radar. Despite being 34-44 since April 27, they are still just two games out of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins have now lost 12 games in a row, and are still only three games out of a wild card.
As the trade deadline approaches, fans can expect a hectic week of rumors and speculation. With so many teams in contention, it's anyone's guess what will happen next.
Source: CBS