Wavier Period Predictions

As preseason football begins to grab everyone's attention, it is time to make some final playoff predictions as the trade deadline has passed and players can only be claimed or pass through waivers. We saw some interesting deals take place, with Lester and Cespedes being swapped and Price going to the Tigers in the 3 team trade that got the Rays...well nothing that will help. Its time to go over the current standings...
So in the East the leaders currently are the Orioles and Nationals. Baltimore has a 5 game lead over the Yanks and 6 over the Jays. Though they are missing Weiters, they have been getting great power from Davis, Cruz, and Jones.  The Orioles are riding on their offense to carry them through. With the Blue Jays suffering so much, Lawrie, Encarnacion, and as of yesterday Cabrera. They have lost their lead with to many key guys joining the DL. Expect the Yankees to climb back into the picture however. It will be tight between those two, but I will put my money on the Orioles to hold on as they have more consistency from their younger weapons. The Nationals ay be having all their drama with Harper, but they did a good job at the trade deadline and hold a 3.5 game lead over the Braves at the moment. Atlanta should give them a big battle, but I think the Nats will take the NL East as the Braves bats are to easy to strikeout, even without Uggla.

In the Central, the NL will be very interesting. Brewers are fighting with the Cardinals, Pirates, and the Reds are fully out of the picture. With the Cardinals pitching pickups, I expect them to push the Brewers out of the way and take the division. The Brewers are suffering a few injuries to their rotation that will cost them, though Peralta has done a great job on the mound and Gomez at the plate, the Brewers will have to settle for wildcard. The Pirates have been on fire recently, but I believe it is a little to soon for that, as the McCutchen problems with have an affect. Pirates can put up a fight for the wildcard, but the division will be out of reach. In the AL, the Tigers may have Sanchez injury problems at the moment, but with Scherzer, Price, and Verlander still on the mound they should not have much of a problem. They only team to worry about is the Royals who have won 8 of the last 10, including winning a series in Oakland, being the first team to do that since April. The Tigers should be able to hold on, as the Royals pitching staff is not strong enough to hold everyone off.

In the West, The A's have been the best team in baseball for a while. But the next best is right behind them with the Angels. Lester has looked amazing on the mound in Oakland and the A's continue to win games. Though they no longer have Cespedes and have a harder time scoring, they will take their division with the easier schedule and will leave the Angels with the wildcard. In the NL, the Dodgers has risen over the Giants struggling. The current 3.5 game lead should be easy to hold for the Dodgers even with their lose of Beckett. The Giants have shown no sign of getting hot, with Pence and Sandoval the only bats that bring in any runs. The Giants had to place Belt back on the DL, losing another weapon yet again. Pagan recently came back, but the Giants are winless in all his starts. The Dodgers are doing what the Giants can't, and are bringing in runs at a more frequent rate. With Gordon stealing bases and getting in scoring position, it takes less hits to bring in the runs.

So take note! AL: Athletics, Orioles, and Tigers. With Angels and Royals fighting in wildcard.
While in the NL: Dodgers, Cardinals, and Nationals. While the Brewers and Giants make the wildcard.
Second runners would be Yankees, Blue Jays, and with their trades Mariners in the AL. While the Brewers, Braves, and Reds have a shot in the NL.
Playoff predictions will come at the start of the postseason...keep checking in for more sports news!!