A note: obviously, this being the middle of July, the standings aren't finalized, so we're only going to focus on teams that are either leading the division as of today, or are currently holding onto a Wild Card spot. The standings can always change, and we will update them as necessary.
Chicago White Sox: Not even a full year removed from the Ozzie Guillen era, rookie skipper Robin Ventura has the South Siders in a position they haven't been in since 2008: first place in the Central division. With the Indians and Tigers snapping at their heels, though, they'll need a little more space in the standings to feel secure. As long as Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn (in the most stunning Comeback Player Award campaign ever witnessed) and Dayan Viciedo can keep hitting bombs, and the rotation can steady itself, they'll be back in October.
Texas Rangers: After a second crushing defeat in the World Series last year, Ron Washington and his boys aren't looking to burn out at the end of the season. Josh Hamilton is still on track for a monstrous season, Yu Darvish is still dazzling hitters in his rookie year, and even Roy Oswalt, far from a favorite here at TBF, is still somehow effective. If Ian Kinsler can regain his form, Matt Harrison can keep winning, and Adrian Beltre doesn't get injured, they'll win the division handily. Can they make a third straight trip to the Fall Classic? All signs point to yes.
Detroit Tigers: Prince Fielder is making his valiant return to the Tigers count this year with an impressive slash line, and Justin Verlander is still racking up the wins and strikeouts, but surprisingly, Motown's only got a tenuous hold on one of the Wild Cards. This is mainly due to the rotation behind Verlander failing to create any kind of consistency on the bump. It doesn't help that closer Jose Valverde, after a perfect season in 2011, has blown 4 saves this season. Their bullpen could end up being the deciding factor later in the season, but with Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, power alone may get them into the playoffs.
Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols, who made the jump to the AL along with Fielder, is having an incredibly underwhelming season, but rookie phenoms Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo are more than making up for a shoddy pitching staff past Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson. If Dan Haren and Ervin Santana can regain control over their pitches, maybe their rotation can stand a chance like we all thought they would this offseason. Their bullpen has been improved exponentially by ex-Padre Ernesto Frieri, and while they may not win the West, they could be wranglin' in a playoff berth.
Washington Nationals: Well...this was unexpected. Capitalizing on the floundering Phillies' woes early in the year, the Nats took the lead in the East and have not let go. Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez have been lights out for the pitching, and outrageously hyped rookie Bryce Harper has shown flashes of brilliance while Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse have yet to get their power swings back. Once Jayson Werth and Drew Storen return from the disabled list, there might be October baseball in the nation's capital again for the first time in decades.
Cincinnati Reds: Like the Nationals, the Reds took charge in the first few months of the season while last year's NLCS tandem (Brewers and Cardinals) fell behind, and they want to give Joey Votto justification for signing his lucrative, 10-year extension. Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips continue to produce in the field and at the plate, and while the pitching staff, led by newly-acquired Mat Latos, has yet to fully deliver, the Cincy crew has been dominant in the same fashion as 2010. For all his pitching and legal troubles, fireballer Aroldis Chapman could either be starting or closing postseason games this year.
San Francisco Giants: While they continue to flip-flop with the red-hot Dodgers for control of the division, the Giants have seen major extremes in their rotation. Matt Cain threw an absolutely masterful perfect game and started the All-Star Game, while Tim Lincecum seems to forgotten how to throw a strike and is currently at a 3-10 record. But with MVP hopeful Melky Cabrera and a healthy Buster Posey, as well as a bullpen headed by closer Santiago Castilla in the absence of Brian "The Beard" Wilson, they seem ready for their second postseason appearance in 3 years.
Pittsburgh Pirates: In a season full of surprise contenders, there's no contest that the Bucs are by far the most surprising. Led by a determined Andrew McCutchen and a potential-fulfilling Pedro Alvarez on offense, and a revitalized AJ Burnett (as well as shockingly good hurler James McDonald) heading a rotation that is somehow continuing to keep the team afloat, the Pirates only need 30 more wins in their remaining 71 games to have their first season at or above .500 since 1992, the longest losing streak in American professional sports. You can't make this up.
Atlanta Braves: Failing to make an early run like the Nationals did, the Braves still find themselves in contention in the final year of third baseman Chipper Jones's legendary career. The rotation has been less than stellar, with future ace Brandon Beachy out for the year, but fielders like Michael Bourn and Martin Prado have managed to keep the team in the running, especially in an offense where their two best hitters (Brian McCann and Dan Uggla) can't seem to outperform a 40 year old. Regardless, it seems like Chipper may have one more shot at his second ring.
Will these be the 10 teams vying for a championship title come October? While there's always a chance the unexpected will happen (and you don't have to go back any further than last season to know that), most of these teams can take solace in the fact that their playoff spot is all but reserved...for now.
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