The ever-dominant teams in the world of sports sometimes give off the impression that they will reign supreme forever. Just take a look at the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, or New England Patriots. However, every once in a while, the status quo changes, and it changes dramatically. MLB’s 2023 season is a prime example of this phenomenon. With the introduction of new rules such as pitch clocks, the game itself has witnessed a significant transformation. Great empires have crumbled, and underdogs have risen, giving rise to new possibilities and challenging the notion of predictability in sports.
In previous years, it was a well-known fact that the road to victory in the AL East or NL Central went through the Yankees or the St. Louis Cardinals. These iconic franchises, with their sizable budgets, allure many players seeking both a substantial payday and a shot at a World Series title. Last season, both teams finished at the top of their respective divisions, with Aaron Judge smashing an astonishing 62 home runs for New York and the dynamic duo of Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt creating havoc for opposing pitchers in St. Louis.
However, this year has witnessed a complete reversal of fortune for both teams. Judge’s injury and a catastrophic collapse in the Cardinals’ pitching staff have left the once-proud franchises languishing at the bottom of their divisions. This is the first time the Yankees have found themselves in last place in August since 1992, while the Cardinals have not experienced this since 1998. To find a time when both teams were in their respective divisional basements, one must look back all the way to 1990. It is a rare occurrence indeed, with the Yankees and the Cardinals finding themselves in this dire situation only four and seven times, respectively, since the introduction of divisions in 1969.
However, it is important to note that the struggles of these two teams are not entirely comparable. The Cardinals entered Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with a dismal 48-61 record, with virtually no hope of competing for a wild-card spot. On the other hand, the Yankees have managed to maintain a 56-52 record, far from spectacular but not abysmal either. So, what is the reason behind their contrasting performances?
The answer lies in the American League East, traditionally one of the toughest divisions in baseball, which has emerged as an absolute powerhouse this season. Every team in the division boasts a winning record, a rarity in the divisional era. The only other time this has occurred was in 2005 in the NL East. In addition, this season marks the first time in history that each team in a division is multiple games over .500. The Tampa Bay Rays, currently occupying the second spot in the AL East, would be leading every other division except for the NL East, where the Atlanta Braves hold the best record in baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays, standing third in the division, would be leading the NL or AL Central. Even the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox would be considered the top teams in the AL Central.
Remarkably, it is the Baltimore Orioles who currently cling to first place in the AL East, a position they have not held in August since 2016. What is even more astonishing is that the Orioles have achieved this feat while operating with a payroll more than $200 million lower than that of the Yankees.
Speaking of payrolls, it is worth noting that the teams with the highest expenditures in baseball, namely the New York Mets, Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies, are not currently in playoff contention. In fact, both the Mets and the Padres have losing records. Since the onset of the wild-card era in 1995, only once have the top three spenders missed the playoffs, which occurred in 2008. If the current trajectories of these four teams continue, it will be the first time that all of the top four payrolls have failed to secure a playoff spot.
Amidst the chaos and upheaval, several teams have seen themselves at the top of the standings after an extended hiatus. Apart from the Orioles, who have unexpectedly claimed a share of first place in August for only the second time in the past 25 years, the Cincinnati Reds are in a similar position. This marks their first share of the top spot since 2012. The Texas Rangers, while not enduring as long a wait, also find themselves in a share of first place this August for the first time since 2016.
Even with the absence of superstar Mike Trout due to injury, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves within a three-game reach of a playoff berth. Much of this can be attributed to the exceptional performance of Shohei Ohtani, who is making a strong case for being one of the greatest players of all time. The Angels’ resurgence puts them in a position they haven’t experienced since September 2017.
As the 2023 MLB season continues, the shifting of power becomes increasingly evident. No longer can we rely on the dominance of perennial favorites, as unexpected upsets and surprise contenders shake the foundations of the league. The unpredictability of sports is on full display, reminding us all that anything is truly possible on the field.
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