MLB Pennant Race 2022: The Final 10 Days

We are down to the final 10 days of the 2022 MLB season, and so much is left to be decided. The past week saw quite a few developments in the pennant races, as well as a historic moment involving a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Let's get to that first:

Welcome to the club! On Friday, September 23, 2022, Albert Pujols entered Los Angeles needing two home runs to reach 700, and he only needed two at bats to get there. Pujols became only the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 career HRs, joining an exclusive list that only includes Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Hank Aaron. Pujols' pair of homers capped off an 11-0 win for the St. Louis Cardinals over the Los Angeles Dodgers, but despite that blowout loss, the Dodgers did go on to lock up the #1 seed in the National League, so the road to the pennant in the senior circuit goes through the City of Angels.

What's Next: As for the Cards, they have an important two-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers coming up. How important is it? If they win just one of those games, they will clinch the National League Central, and most likely host a Wild Card Series. Their regular season will end with six straight games against the Pittsburgh Pirates--a home series followed by a set in Pittsburgh.

Another player on a big home run watch is Aaron Judge, who is pursuing the 61-year old franchise and American League record held by Roger Maris. It was on September 20 that Judge hit his 60th of the season as part of a huge game-winning 9th inning rally against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and while Judge has been stuck at that number since then (with about four close calls at 61), the New York Yankees continue to win games. The Yankees have won seven straight, with the win on September 20 clinching a postseason berth, and they are now closing in on the division.

What's Next: The Yankees will cross the northern border for a three game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. Just one win in that series will give them the American League East crown; their first since 2019. In addition, the Yankees would get a bye straight to the Division Series, along with the Houston Astros. Speaking of Houston, their magic number to lock up the American League's #1 seed is three.

Congratulations to the Cleveland Guardians, the 2022 American League Central Champions! The Guardians entered Sunday's action needing a win or a Chicago White Sox loss to win the division, and they officially clinched during their game, as the White Sox lost to the Tigers while the Guardians were leading in their game against the Texas Rangers. For the Guardians, this is their first division title under their new name, so they are already one-for-one as the Guardians as far as postseason appearances. It is also their first division title since 2018, and with their big win, the Guardians will host a Wild Card Series against whoever finishes as the #3 Wild Card in the American League.

What's Next: The Guardians will spend the final days of the regular season at home; a three game set against the Tampa Bay Rays followed by six straight against the Kansas City Royals.

The National League East remains the closest division race in baseball, even as the season enters the final 10 days. As we all know, the New York Mets had a huge lead in the division during the summer, but it dwindled at a rapid pace, and during a brief point, the Atlanta Braves actually took the lead. The Mets have a 1.5 game lead in the East, and it's not only that up for grabs, but also the remaining bye in the National League. The final 10 days are very important for these two teams. Whoever wins the NL East will rest up and have plenty of time to practice for the Division Series. The runner-up will end up having to play in a Wild Card Series, doing so as the home team, but still, that's an extra bump in the road.

What's Next: The Mets host a two game set against the Miami Marlins, the Braves are on the road for three against the Washington Nationals, but after that, it is their final head-to-head series of the season. The three game set is in Atlanta. The Mets lead the season series, 9-7. If the Mets sweep the two-game set and sweep the series in Atlanta, they will win the NL East.

If the postseason started today, it would be the Astros and Yankees getting the byes in the American League, while the Dodgers and Mets would have the National League's byes. The Guardians are cemented as the #3 seed and will host the American League Wild Card Series, but right now, it would be against the Seattle Mariners, while the other series would be between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. Fun fact: the Mariners' last postseason series win was against the then-named Cleveland Indians in the 2001 ALDS. In the National League, the Cardinals would face the Philadelphia Phillies in one series, while the other would feature the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres. 10 days left. Three playoff spots left in each league. This will be a fantastic race to the finish line!

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