Labor Day is behind us, marking the end of summer. That means it’s time for us to start focusing on the post season. At this point, all but one division race has already shaken out and, as has been the case the last couple of years, the wild card races look like they’ll provide us with the most drama in September. Here’s how things look right now.

AL East
How could it be any other result? It’s the Yankees, the best team that money can buy. They’ve won it every year since 1998(they won it with an asterisk last year with the same record as the Red Sox, but a better head to head record, but they still won it). The Bobby Abreu deal is paying off and it looks like Matsui will be back in time to get some games in before the playoffs. They are a formidable team, but the question again this year is whether they are built for the post season. More on that as October nears.

AL Central
The Detroit Tigers are an unstoppable juggernaut. They’ve pretty much dominated from beginning to end. Minnesota has been stronger than many people expected, but they and Chicago are too far back to make it up, barring a disaster of Cubs-like proportions.

AL West
It looks like Oakland will win the AL West again for the fourth time since 2000. That low payroll Billy Beane magic is working again. I’ll be taking another look at Beane and “Moneyball” in an upcoming column.

AL Wild Card
The AL Central looks like it has a lock on the wild card. Chicago and Minnesota have been jockeying for the lead for the last couple of weeks and are best positioned to make the post season. Winning the wild card is about momentum and these teams will have head-to-head match-ups during September, so this is a race to watch.

NL East
The Mets have dominated the division all year and are a lock to clinch. This will break Atlanta’s record of eleven straight division wins. In fact, Atlanta probably wont finish better than fourth place, which is where they are right now.

NL Central
For the sixth time since 2000, it’ll be St. Louis. Cincinnati made a run earlier in the season, but St. Louis has pulled away for good.

NL West
Finally, a real race! At the moment, LA is on top, but San Diego is within reach and looking just as strong. The Padres reacquired David Wells from the Red Sox on August 31st and he’s already proven his worth. August 31st is the deadline for a player added to a team’s roster to be eligible to play in the post-season. Given Wells’ history as a money player, this could be a key move.

NL Wild Card
Despite trading away Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle, Philadelphia has been winning and is currently in the lead. LA and San Diego are the main competition, depending on which of them takes the West. Florida is a longshot. Philly has improved itself with the August acquisitions of Jamie Moyer and Jeff Conine and the return of Tom Gordon from the DL. Moyer will trade his position as the oldest player in the AL at 43 for fourth place in the NL behind the likes of Julio Franco, who is 47. Despite his age, Moyer continues to deceive hitters with is 85 mph fast ball, 65 mph change-up and nasty curve. Expect to see Philly in the post season.

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