Opinion

After the Cincinnati Reds fell out of contention in late August, many fans wanted to see what the team's September call-ups could do. However, the call-ups have had very few chances to show what they can do early in the final month.

Sympathy is a powerful thing.

Giancarlo Stanton, the Miami Marlins poster boy with the movie-star looks, glittery smile and enough thunder in his bat to make Mighty Casey look like a slap-hitting second baseman, has that on his side in this year’s National League MVP race.

Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig were caught on camera bickering at each other during Monday night's game, a clear sign that skipper Don Mattingly is losing the clubhouse and the NL West-leading <

It's almost awards season!

So, who should win X or Y end-of-season-award? It's one of the most exciting, and debatable topics of the season, and since the minor league season is over, we can replicate that to some extent while looking at the Cincinnati Reds farm system.

Though the season was filled with some mixed results from top prospects, there are plenty of players who deserve recognition for their outstanding accomplishments.

It's a topic no one feels like talking about. It's a stat commonly dismissed, regarded as weak or passive. And in 2014, it is killing the Cincinnati Reds offense.

Take a brief stroll through Twitter to find out what people think of walking, especially regarding Joey Votto, who has built a reputation for accumulating bases on balls (BBs):

The National League races are almost set with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants still fighting for the West.

As Yadier Molina's return has brought the St. Louis Cardinals back to top form, where do the top NL teams rank?

Watch as Brian Anderson and Cal Ripken Jr. discuss the National League's top talent and who can come out on top.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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The American League races are heating up as the postseason nears.

With some teams clearly out front, where do they rank going into the playoffs?

Brian Anderson and Cal Ripken Jr. break down the American League's top teams and where they are at right now.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Baseball is designed to trick you. It is the game of lazy summer days and endless tomorrows. Stay even keel and do not overreact to one game because the season is long. Above all, consistency is cherished.   

Then suddenly and without warning it is September.   

And managers who continue to manage as if it is May do not stay managers very long.

MLB award talk is heating up here with just a few weeks remaining in the 2014 regular season, and this year's crop of MVP candidates in both leagues should bring about some good debate.

In the American League, the storyline is Mike Trout once again, as he looks to finally take home some hardware after finishing second to Miguel Cabrera the past two years.

The Baltimore Orioles have been on a tear in the past week, winning eight of their last nine games and further lengthening their division lead in the AL East to 12.5 games over the Toronto Blue Jays.

At this point, the Orioles have managed to dwindle down their magic number to clinch the division all the way to just one game, which means they could capture the division crown as early as Tuesday night.