Hunt For October Sept. 5: NL West Tightens; White Sox Keep Pace In Central

Starting today, I'll begin a five-week series of pennant race baseball updates, posted every Sunday. The first Sunday in September is now complete, so it's time to take a look at how the races are starting to shape up. Right now, there are three really close ones developing. Let's take a look at how things went down over the past week in Major League Baseball.

San Diego Meltdown

On August 25, the San Diego Padres were 76-49 and led the NL West by 6.5 games over the Giants. Since then, they have lost 10 games in a row, falling to 76-59. They are the second first-place team in Major League history to lose 10 straight games. The other team being the 1932 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Only two teams in history have made the playoffs in a year they lost at least 10 games in a row (1951 Giants and 1982 Braves). With this epic meltdown, they have seen their NL West lead shrink to one game since the Giants won their Sunday night game against the Dodgers. The Padres have been in first place every day since June 18.

Here Come the Rockies

In September 2007, the Rockies established themselves as a true pennant race force, winning 14 of their last 15 games to make the playoffs and eventually the World Series. After making it to October--or Rocktober as they call it--last season, Colorado is on one of their runs again. They just completed a sweep of the reeling Padres to move within 4.5 games of first place.

Carlos Gonazlez has become one of the best hitters in baseball this season, as he actually leads in all triple crown categories at home. The Rockies do have a tough remaining schedule, as 20 of their last 26 games are against teams with winning records.

NL West Standings

Padres 76-59; Giants 76-61 (1 GB); Rockies 72-64 (4.5 GB)

White Sox Get Manny; Stay Hot

The White Sox acquired Manny Ramirez on waivers from the Dodgers, and are red-hot right now. They are keeping pace in the AL Central, although the Twins aren't giving in. While the White Sox have won six in a row, the Twins have won their last three games, making for a tight finish. It seems as if every season the Twins are involved in a close race.

In each of their last two seasons, they have played a 163rd game. In 2008, they lost to the White Sox, and last season they beat the Tigers. Justin Morneau has been sidelined since July 7, but Joe Mauer has been on fire. Since August 3, Mauer is batting .362 and is helping the Twins stay in front in the AL Central. It should be another close finish for Minnesota.

AL Central Standings

Twins 80-57; White Sox 76-60 (3.5 GB)

NL East Race Within One Game

The Philadelphia Phillies are attempting to win their fourth straight NL East crown, but they'd have to finally take over the Atlanta Braves. The Braves have been in first place since May 31, and have the pitching to hold on.

The Phillies, meanwhile, have fought through injury all season, and are now a healthy team with a reputation of winning late in seasons (i.e. 2007 and 2008). The Braves nearly came back to beat the Marlins on Sunday, but after tying the game at six apiece, lost anyway.

The Phillies couldn't take advantage, trying to tie the division, as they lost at home to the Brewers. The Phillies currently lead the Wild Card race in the NL, so both teams could make the playoffs, but the Phillies want to continue their run as division champions.

NL East Standings

Braves 79-58; Phillies 78-59 (1 GB)

If the Season Ended Today...

American League          Rangers at Yankees; Rays at Twins

National League            Phillies at Reds; Padres at Braves