MLB: Best of August

Another month of baseball will soon be in the books. After August, only one full month of the regular season remains. But August, like every month, has given plenty of memorable and exciting moments from across the majors. Some of those moments can be signs of what’s yet to come.

Now, more than ever, the race for October has heated up. All 30 teams are making those last big pushes to end their 2018 campaigns on the highest notes possible. Plus, for some players, history is just within reach, while trying to end the regular on the loudest bang possible. Here are just some of the greatest hits from August, and possibly what may happen in the end.

MLB in August: Getting Their Groove On

History in the Making?

Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

The Batting Triple Crown is one of baseball’s most coveted accolades, and also one of the hardest to win. To earn it, a player must lead their respective leagues (American or National) in batting average, home runs and runs batted in.

Boston’s J.D. Martinez has the best chance to win the hardware this season. Martinez currently leads the majors in batting average and RBI’s. Only Khris Davis of Oakland has one more home run than he does this season. But that can soon change with the heat Martinez has been picking up. In the month of August, #28 has cashed in six home runs and 21 RBI’s. In addition, Martinez boasts a .404 batting average for this month. With this much steam, we could witness the first Batting Triple Crown winner since 2012.

Back in Business!

Image courtesy of the New York Times

With Aaron Judge on the disabled list, the New York Yankees looked to other names to ramp up the offense. One of the many who has successfully stepped up was Giancarlo Stanton. Though starting off shaky in his new home, #27 has found his footing and seems very comfy. In the month of August, Stanton has belted eight home runs and 18 RBI’s. This brings his numbers to 32 home runs and 82 RBI’s for this season.

Many teammates earn a lot of credit for New York winning eight of their last 10 games, but Stanton’s burst may not have come in time for the All-Star Game, but Stanton is now playing like the same Stanton that lit it up for Miami for many years.

A New Cy Young Favorite?

Courtesy of: The Sports Post

Over in the National League, the quest for the Cy Young Award has tightened up quickly. Washington’s Max Scherzer long stood as the favorite. But Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola is on an absolute tear.

In his last fifteen games, Nola stands 8-1 with an ERA of 2.03. He currently boasts the second lowest ERA and the second most wins in the National League. Yes, there is still a month left of baseball to go before the playoffs, but the numbers don’t lie. Scherzer’s 16-6 record and 2.22 ERA is impressive, but Nola’s 15-3 record and 2.10 ERA may have put him as the new favorite to win the 2018 NL Cy Young Award.

MLB in August: Divisions up for Contention

As October approaches, several teams are looking to take over their respective divisions. Some will have a tougher time succeeding than others. The Cleveland Indians have a very comfy lead in the American League Central. Other divisions are still fair game. The Houston Astros hold the lead in the AL West, but the Oakland Athletics are just two games behind them.

Over in the National League West, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are trading blows and leads in their division. Not to mention, the Los Angeles Dodgers are just one game behind the two ball clubs. Similarly, the NL Central has three squads slugging it out. The Chicago Cubs hold the lead, but the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are not far behind.

The momentum built in August will be crucial for these ball clubs in the remaining four weeks of the regular season. There are only ten total spots for October, and everyone wants those rare shots at glory.

Featured image courtesy of Pinstripe Alley
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