MLB Standings Watch: Red Sox meet elimination

Sep 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates his grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays with center fielder Mookie Betts (50), second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) and right fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (R) during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox are riding a season-high five-game winning streak. They have gone 16-10 in the month of September to pull themselves out of the basement of the AL East, climbing all the way to third place for the first time since May. Boston is playing better than they have all season.

Except it doesn’t matter… because they are now eliminated from postseason contention. The Red Sox are 6 games back in the Wild Card race with only 5 games left to play. Boston is now officially mathematically eliminated.

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We accepted long ago that this team making the playoffs wasn’t going to be in the cards this season, but you have to admire the valiant effort. If the Red Sox manage to win 4 of their remaining 5 games they will finish the season with a .500 record. It’s not nearly as rewarding as earning a trip to the playoffs, but avoiding a losing record and last place finish for the third time in four years remains a meaningful goal.

The bottom of the division is still as close as can be, with Baltimore trailing by a mere half game and Tampa Bay lurking at only one game back. The slightest stumble could send Boston spiraling back to the bottom, so the Red Sox can’t rest on the accomplishment of vaulting over their divisional foes just yet.

Regardless of what their record ends up at, Red Sox fans can take solace in the progress this team has shown in the second half. The pitching staff looked disastrous a couple months ago, but has performed much better in the second half, thanks in part to a pair of rookies that should remain key pieces in the rotation for years to come. Meanwhile, the emergence of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Blake Swihart solidifies a strong core for the future.

When we look back at this 2015 season, hopefully it won’t be to remember the disappointment of failed expectations. Instead, let’s remember it as the beginning of a new era for the Red Sox where we first began to see this young talent bloom. This season may not have worked out as planned, but the future remains bright.

Next: Rising

September 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) climbs the fence in the fourth inning to catch a fly ball hit by Seattle Mariners first baseman Jesus Montero (not pictured) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rising
(American League team gaining momentum)

Los Angeles Angels: A seven-game win streak has pushed the surging Angels into a playoff spot as the second Wild Card. They trail the Rangers by two games for the division title, with a four-game set in Texas looming to wrap up the season. That series will likely decide the division, while the team that falls short still has to contend with the Astros to keep hold of the Wild Card. The Angels are also three games back of the Yankees, so even if they fail to win the division there is still a chance they could claim home-field advantage in the Wild Card game.

The Angels resurgence coincides with Mike Trout getting back to doing Mike Trout things. The reigning MVP battled through an injury that resulted in a dismal August, but he’s bounced back with a 1.016 OPS this month that includes 7 home runs. Trout is one homer behind the league leader in the category this month and his 40 home runs this season puts him at 4th in the league. He also made the highlight reels again by robbing another victim of a home run with his glove last week. Trout has reclaimed the league-lead with an 8.9 WAR and .978 OPS. As long as the Angels hang on to a playoff spot, it should be an interesting battle between Trout and Toronto’s Josh Donaldson for the AL MVP.

L.A.’s rotation has gotten a boost down the stretch from Nick Tropeano. The rookie is 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA over 4 starts this month, to go along with 26 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Hector Santiago was the ace of this staff in the first half (2.33 ERA), but his second half struggles (5.40 ERA) make it all the more important for the back of the rotation to step up.

If the Angels make the playoffs, who do they have leading their rotation? As great as Tropeano has been down the stretch, they won’t entrust that responsibility to a rookie. Santiago’s second half fade may take him out of contention for the honor. Veteran Jared Weaver has the most postseason experience, but he’s having a mediocre season and left his last start early with shoulder tightness. The guess here is it will be Garrett Richards. While he hasn’t come close to matching the production from last year’s breakout season, he’s still having a solid year and is finishing strong, with a 3-1 record and 3.41 ERA in September.

Next: Falling

Sep 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) throws out a runner at first base during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Falling
(American League team that is struggling)

Houston Astros: Through the first half of the season it seemed like this young Astros team was developing into one of the feel good stories of the year. After years of toiling away near the bottom of the standings they were finally breaking out with a surprise season that appeared headed for the postseason.

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Now it’s looking like they might miss out on October baseball. Houston has gone only 10-15 in September to fall out of the division lead and drop a half game behind the Angels for the final playoff spot. The Astros have only 4 games remaining, all of which come on the road. Seattle and Arizona may not provide the stiffest competition, but Houston’s 30-47 record away from home is the worst road record in the league.

Carlos Correa may run away with the Rookie of the Year vote, but his .809 OPS in September is the lowest it has been in any month. His power production hasn’t faded, with 5 homers and 17 RBI nearly equaling what he’s done in every other month since he debuted in June, but he’s not getting on base at the same rate he was the last couple of months.

Houston obtained Scott Kazmir from Oakland before the trade deadline, but he hasn’t been the same pitcher since changing uniforms. After posting a 2.18 ERA and 3.3 WAR through 18 starts with the A’s, Kazmir has produced a 3.91 ERA and 0.5 WAR in 12 starts for Houston. The 31-year old is fading fast down the stretch, owning an 0-2 record and 6.20 ERA in September.

Next: Playoff Outlook