Opinion

The 2013 Atlanta Braves can pump the breaks on their intensity over the final two weeks of the regular season. After all, at 30 games over .500 (88-58) and with a double-digit lead in the National League East, they are a virtual lock to win the division and host the first two games of a National League Division Series at Turner Field.

There is a headline that constantly scrolls in my mind every time predictions begin to swirl around the Los Angeles Angels’ offseason moves—each scenario popping with the lights of a ‘50s-style camera.

Big names. Big money. Big moves. Big…mistakes?

Pop!

It never fails—especially in the past few seasons—making the Angels one of the more intriguing organizations to watch in the winter.

Despite his status as a future Hall of Famer and team captain, the Yankees could actually be better off without Derek Jeter down the stretch of the season.

Despite a two-game losing streak, the Cleveland Indians find themselves just 1.5 games back of the fifth and final playoff spot in the American League. The Indians trail just three teams, those being the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.

It's the middle of September, and the New York Yankees are playing the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in a series that has a lot more at stake than anyone would have thought one month ago. 

For the Red Sox, this series gives them a chance to put a serious dent in their archrival's postseason hopes. It also affords them the opportunity to move a few steps closer to clinching the American League East, with their magic number at eight.

The New York Yankees once again will be footing the highest luxury tax bill in baseball, this year at $29.1 million.

Tired of waiting for the season to conclude? Want to know how this will all play out? Well, we have you covered.

Join MLB Lead Writer Zachary Rymer and MLB Contributor Gabe Zaldivar as they give you the brackets for each league heading into the postseason.

At least, that’s how we think they will finish.

As we all know, there is any number of things that can happen in the final few weeks of what has already been a magical season.

While there are obvious winners in several divisions, there is still plenty to discuss as the final games get played.

After three full months on the DL with a shoulder injury, Clay Buchholz returned to the Boston Red Sox rotation Tuesday night. He had a pretty good performance too, pitching five scoreless innings with three hits and six strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays.

One of the things that separates Major League Baseball from other professional sports in this country is the exclusivity of the playoffs. Yet this September is highlighting the benefits and detriment of the still relatively new second Wild Card in each league. 

But does having one race that means everything and another that has been decided for weeks make Bud Selig's master plan better or worse for the postseason race?

The Minnesota Twins are well on their way to their third straight October off, and the fans in Twins Territory are not happy.

With the trade of Justin Morneau to the Pirates and with Joe Mauer's slow recovery from a concussion, there doesn't seem to be much hope for the team as they trot out a lineup in which Brian Dozier is supposed to be their main source of power.