7 things to watch in MLB's final week include red-hot NL wild-card race, a Triple Crown chase and a historically bad division
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong is two stolen bases shy of joining the exclusive 40/40 club, potentially becoming the third-youngest player to achieve this feat as he leads MLB with 45 homers and ranks fifth with 38 steals.
- The Chicago White Sox, despite a strong start, have struggled with starting pitching and now trail the Guardians by one game in the AL Central, risking elimination from the postseason as they finish the season against the Royals and Rockies.
- The NL wild-card race remains tight among the Cubs, Padres, and Phillies, all within one game of each other, with the Padres currently the hottest team in September and the Phillies facing tough series against top-seeded Brewers and Rays.
- Shohei Ohtani is set to return to the Dodgers' lineup after injuries, focusing solely on hitting to prepare for October, while the Dodgers' offense has remained strong in his absence.
- The AL West division title is up for grabs between the Rangers and Astros, with the Rangers holding a slim lead; the division winner could become the worst in MLB history by winning with a .500 or worse record.
