MLB: 8 Reasons This Is the Most Boring September in Years

1 of 10

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 15: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies yawns in Game One of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gro

Yep, even Shane Victorino thinks baseball can be boring, too.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

As a Red Sox fan I can't say I personally find this September boring—at all. Boston is doing their best to squander their once comfortable AL Wild Card lead.

But outside of this drama, it is a very uninteresting last month for sure.

There are really just very few compelling teams to watch right now, from a general interest point of view.

There is one thing, however, that Red Sox fans, uninterested general fans and Billie Joe Armstrong can all agree on—wake us up when September ends!

Here are eight reasons why this is the most boring September in years:

1. The Phillies Are Already in

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 14: Pitcher Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies shakes hands with catcher Carlos Ruiz #51 after 1-0 shutout of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 14, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Bob Levey/Getty Images

In what should be a surprise to no one, the NL East will not be the source of any September drama.

The Phillies became the first team to clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday night, behind a complete game shutout from the big guy, Roy Halladay.

2. The Brewers Have a Solid Lead

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 11: John Axford #59 of the Milwaukee Brewers high fives teammates and coaches after their victory against the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park on September 11, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.The Brewers beat the Phillies 3-2.

Mark Hirsch/Getty Images

The Brewers slid into first place on July 27 and haven't looked backed. They lead the Cardinals by 5.5 games.

Milwaukee's on track for their first playoff appearance since winning the wild card in 2008. They haven't won a division since 1982, when they won the AL East and played in the World Series.

3. The D'backs Are Close to Clinching

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) Daniel Hudson #41, Aaron Hill #2, John McDonald #16, Miguel Montero #26 and Ryan Roberts #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after a walk off win against the San Diego Padres in the tenth inning of the Major Leagu

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Buoyed by their purple-laden throwback weekend celebrating their 2001 championship, the Arizona Diamondbacks have brought their magic number to clinch the NL West down to six.

Prior to their loss to San Diego last Sunday, the D'backs had won 15 in a row, a franchise record.

4. The Braves Won't Blow Their Lead

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Scott Linebrink #19 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Brian McCann #16 after their 7-1 win over the Florida Marlins at Turner Field on September 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Heck, even the NL Wild Card race lacks punch.

The Braves' magic number is nine, and unlike Boston, Atlanta has shown no signs of self-destructing.

5. The Yankees Are a Lock

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Closing pitcher Mariano Rivera #42 (C)of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammates after defeating the Seattle Mariners 3-2 at Safeco Field on September 13, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Rivera was credited with the save,

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

It looks like the Yankees will eke out the division after a contentious summer battling with the Red Sox.

The AL East remains interesting, however, because of Boston's ineptitude. The Red Sox have seen their wild card lead slip to a mere three games over the Tampa Bay Rays.

6. The Tigers Are Cruising

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 11: Jose Valverde #46 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on September 11, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The save gives Jose Valverde 43 for the year, a new Detroit Tigers record. (Phot

Leon Halip/Getty Images

In a fittingly anti-climatic manner, the Tigers clinched the AL Central last night even by having their 12-game winning streak snapped, thanks to a loss by the second-place White Sox.

The Tigers are a team getting hot at the right time, and they should be a force in October, but they are now just a bore for the rest of September.

7. The Giants Will Miss the Playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 10: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants looks on after giving up three runs in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT&T Park on August 10, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Adding to the lack of September energy is the poor play of the Giants. They need a miracle to make the playoffs, and it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon.

Losing Buster Posey for the year really hurt, huh?

The defending champs sit 7.5 games back of the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

8. The Pirates Have Yet Another Losing Season

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 23: Ross Ohlendorf #49 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after giving up seven runs in two innings against the Milwaukee Brewers during the game on August 23, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

A less traditional storyline of interest would have been seeing if the Pittsburgh Pirates could have reversed 18 years of hard luck and ineptitude by finally putting together a winning season.

2011 isn't the year. Since they last held first place, July 19, the Pirates are a woeful 16-37.

Even a wonderful first half wasn't enough to balance out the Bucs' second half shortcomings.

Begin Slideshow