Post Trade Deadline AL Skinny:
1. Houston. Already a great team, just added massive pieces. They're going to be a major handful the rest of the way and a monster in the playoffs.
2. New York. It's incredible how they're dealing with injuries, but their starting pitching is very worrisome. They might get injured guys back in time for the playoffs, and they already have a big lead. They mash and have a terrific bullpen.
3. Cleveland. Dealing Bauer will hurt, but they're shortly going to get Kluber back. Added some huge bats.
4. Minnesota. I know they're currently ahead of Cleveland, but I think in the end they'll get passed.
5. Tampa Bay. Added some nice pieces to an already tough team. Snell will return soon too. Crap.
6. Boston. When they're clicking on all cylinders, they are as good as anyone. Sadly, they've got several spark plugs missing.
7. Oakland. Ahead of Boston right now, but I just don't think they hang on the rest of the way.
8. LAA. If they get on a run they could be a factor, but not likely.
What I think will happen: I am an optimist, and I think the Sox play near .600 ball the rest of the way and sneak into that last WC slot. If they do that, they will have been playing well and would thus be very dangerous in the playoffs. Of course they could immediately get shut down by a good starting pitcher in that first game so who knows. I think it ends up being:
1. Houston
2. New York
3. Cleveland
WC1. Tampa Bay
WC2. Boston
Minnesota and Oakland falter in September. Boston plays Tampa in the WC game, the winner going to Houston for the Divisional Round.