Is it possible that the 6 MLB teams leading their divisions right now on June 14 are the same teams that will be leading their divisions at seasons end? I say, yes. It is extremely possible!

At the time of this writing the 6 division leaders are the Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Phillies, Brewers, and Giants. Let’s look at each of these divisions one by one:

AL EAST: The Bosox are currently on a 9-game winning streak and are the hottest team in baseball. They have survived a horrendous start and are now rolling. Yes, the Yankees and Rays can be formidable, but I just don’t see either of them ending up in front of the Red Sox.

AL CENTRAL: I will concede that none of the 5 teams in this league are out of it yet–not even the last place Twins. But I think the Tigers will prevail. Maybe it’s the “homer” in me. I’ve been rooting for the Tigers since Willie Horton and Norm Cash. But their offense is on fire, Verlander and Scherzer offer a good one-two punch at the top of the rotation, and their pen has been solid.

AL WEST: The Rangers has withstood injuries to Hamilton and Cruz and still sit atop their division. Now healthy, this team will only get better. I don’t see any of the team in the AL West catching them or even making it close.

NL EAST: The Phillies are the cream of the crop in the NL. The defending champs have unparalleled starting pitching. The Braves and Marlins have nice teams, but with Utley back now no one is catching the Phillies.

NL CENTRAL: The Brewers are the class of this division. A starting rotation of Gallardo, Greinke and Marcum; Braun and Fielder raking in the middle of their batting order; they just look too tough this year for the Cardinals or Reds to overtake them.

NL WEST: This division is the most wide open of them all. I will concede I am not confident that the Giants can hang on with their miserable batting order. But the teams chasing them each have so many holes of their own that the defending World Champions have as good of a chance as any of them.

So enjoy the pennant races. I know I surely will. But when it’s all over later in early October, don’t be surprised if we are still right back where we started on June 14.

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