August in Review

The month of August ended on a high note for the Rays, bring their winning streak to seven games in which they will be taking into August, as well as for the Brewers, Dave Bush of the Brewers throwing a perfect game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on the last day of the month, the first no-hitter of the season, and first perfect game since Randy Johnson in 2004. The Rays went 20-8 in the month of August, bringing their overall record to 85-51, half a game back of the Yankees for first in the AL East. Both teams have the two best records in the majors, and it's sure to be a tough fight to the finish even though both teams will most likely end up in the playoffs anyway. The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks are the only two teams with magic numbers, both at twenty, for their division, and expected to be contenders in the playoffs.

AL East: W L PCT GB
1. Yankees | 86 | 51 | .628 | -- |
2. Rays | 85 | 51 | .625 | 0.5 |
3. Red Sox | 76 | 60 | .559 | 9.5 |
4. Blue Jays | 63 | 74 | .460 | 23.0 |
5. Orioles | 51 | 86 | .372 | 35.0 |

AL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Tigers | 75 | 62 | .547 | -- |
2. Indians | 73 | 63 | .537 | 1.5 |
3. Twins | 69 | 68 | .504 | 6.0 |
4. Royals | 66 | 71 | .482 | 9.0 |
5. White Sox | 64 | 72 | .471 | 10.5 |

AL West: W L PCT GB
1. Athletics | 78 | 58 | .574 | -- |
2. Angels | 75 | 61 | .551 | 3.0 |
3. Mariners | 57 | 79 | .419 | 21.0 |
4. Rangers | 50 | 88 | .362 | 29.0 |




NL East: W L PCT GB
1. Mets | 78 | 59 | .569 | -- |
2. Braves | 73 | 64 | .533 | 5.0 |
3. Marlins | 71 | 67 | .514 | 7.5 |
4. Phillies | 58 | 79 | .423 | 20.0 |
5. Nationals | 47 | 90 | .343 | 31.0 |

NL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Reds | 85 | 53 | .616 | M 20 |
2. Brewers | 78 | 58 | .574 | 6.0 |
3. Cardinals | 67 | 70 | .489 | 17.5 |
4. Astros | 66 | 71 | .482 | 18.5 |
5. Pirates | 65 | 71 | .478 | 19.0 |
6. Cubs | 63 | 74 | .460 | 21.5 |

NL West: W L PCT GB
1. Diamondbacks | 78 | 58 | .574 | M 20 |
2. Giants | 71 | 65 | .522 | 7.0 |
3. Dodgers | 62 | 75 | .453 | 16.5 |
4. Rockies | 62 | 76 | .449 | 17.0 |
5. Padres | 59 | 77 | .434 | 19.0 |

League Leaders:


Pitching Stats:


ERA:
1. Rich Hill (Cubs) - 2.29
2. James Shields (Rays) - 2.38
3. Andy Sonnanstine (Rays) - 2.49

Wins:
1. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 15
2. Roy Halladay (Braves) - 15
3. Curt Schilling (Red Sox) - 15

Saves:
1. Troy Percival (Rays) - 41
2. Francisco Rodriguez (Diamondbacks) - 32
3. Joe Nathan (Twins) - 31

Strikeouts:
1. C.C. Sabathia (Indians) - 221
2. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 213
3. Johan Santana (Mets) - 190



Hitting Stats:


AVG:
1. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - .422
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - .366
3. Joe Mauer (Twins) - .357

Hits:
1. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - 198
2. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 195
3. Johnny Damon (Yankees) - 187

Home Runs:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 47
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 42
3. Manny Ramirez (Red Sox) - 42

RBI:
1. Hanley Ramirez (Marlins) - 132
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 131
3. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) - 128