6. Kansas City Royals (79-62) (LW 7) – Making his league-leading 30th start on Friday, James Sheilds took a two-hitter into the ninth inning, leading the Royals to a 1-0 win over the Yankees. By making it through eight innings, he reached the 200 IP mark for the eighth consecutive season.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (79-64) (LW 10) – The Cardinals are getting hot at the right time. They have now won six in a row and eight of nine, opening up 4.5-game lead in N.L. Central.
8. Oakland Athletics (80-62) (LW 4) – The Athletics’ ship is sinking fast. Oakland has lost eight of 10 and could be in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. They currently own the first Wild Card spot, but are just three games in front of the Tigers who are on the outside looking in.
9. Detroit Tigers (78-65) (LW 8) – After suffering through the longest homerless streak of his career, Miguel Cabrera has again found his power stroke. In his seven games this month, he has hit five home runs.
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (74-68) (LW 11) – The Pirates have played themselves into a playoff spot, with a .5-game lead on the Brewers and Braves for the second Wild Card berth. And they are in good shape going forward. Pittsburgh has only two series left against winning teams, which just so happen to be against Milwaukee and Atlanta, which are both struggling.
