7 MLB Final Week Storylines: Wild-Card Race, Triple Crown & Historic Struggles

Pete Crow-Armstrong Closes in on 40/40 History

Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong enters the final stretch of the season tied for the MLB lead in home runs with 45, matching Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, according to reporting by Russell Dorsey. Having recently set the Cubs franchise record for home runs by a left-handed hitter, Crow-Armstrong now eyes the 40/40 club—a feat achieved by only six players in MLB history: Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Shohei Ohtani. With 38 stolen bases, needing just two more makes him a candidate to become the third-youngest player to reach the milestone. The Cubs close out their schedule with three home games at Wrigley Field against the Miami Marlins followed by three games at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.

White Sox Fade as Guardians Take AL Central Lead

The Chicago White Sox are running out of gas after holding a 5.5-game lead in the American League Central as late as August 16, according to Yahoo Sports. Persistent starting pitching struggles, compounded by right-hander Luis Castillo’s disappointing performance after the trade deadline, crippled the roster down the stretch. The Cleveland Guardians capitalized by taking two of three games from Chicago in Cleveland last week, capturing the division lead by a single game. Dropping from the American League’s No. 2 seed down to the No. 6 spot, the White Sox face a fight to avoid missing the postseason entirely while finishing their schedule against the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies, while the Guardians face the Boston Red Sox and Royals.

National League Wild-Card Race Tightens

The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies enter the final week separated by just one game in the National League wild-card standings, according to data from Yahoo Sports. The Padres surged in September, posting an MLB-best 14-4 record and effectively eliminating the Arizona Diamondbacks from postseason contention. Meanwhile, the Cubs and Phillies stumbled slightly down the stretch, going 9-9 and 8-10 respectively this month. San Diego finishes the regular season against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, while Philadelphia faces a daunting slate against the league’s two projected No. 1 seeds, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Shohei Ohtani Returns to the Dodgers Lineup

Shohei Ohtani returns to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup this week after being sidelined on the injured list since September 8 due to injuries to his left knee, neck, and right biceps, according to Yahoo Sports. With the four-time MVP focusing exclusively on hitting for the remainder of the season, getting him near full health is the club’s primary objective ahead of October. The Dodgers offense maintained strong production during his absence, led by shortstop Mookie Betts—who holds an MLB-leading 1.214 OPS with six home runs in September—alongside strong contributions from Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker.

AL West Division Winner Nears Infamous Record

The American League West division title may be claimed by default as the Texas Rangers hold a one-game lead over the Houston Astros entering the final week, according to Yahoo Sports reporting. Following a three-game sweep by the Atlanta Braves, the Astros trail the Rangers, who sit at a 78-78 record. Whichever team secures the division crown risks becoming the worst division winner in MLB history, threatening to eclipse the 2005 San Diego Padres who won the NL West with an 82-80 record. The Rangers wrap up their schedule against the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins, while the Astros face the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

Brewers and Dodgers Battle for NL Top Seed

The Milwaukee Brewers look to secure home-field advantage throughout the National League postseason, holding a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL’s top seed, according to Yahoo Sports. Having already established a franchise record with 98 wins, Milwaukee squares off against the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals to close the year. The Dodgers finish their slate against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. Both frontrunners aim to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage heading into the division series.

Yordan Alvarez Chases AL Triple Crown History

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez leads the American League with a .313 batting average while maintaining a .430 on-base percentage, a .597 slugging percentage, 40 home runs, 99 RBIs, and an MLB-leading 1.027 OPS, according to Yahoo Sports. Despite Houston’s late-season struggles, Alvarez maintains an outside chance at securing the AL Triple Crown. He sits one home run behind Junior Caminero’s 41 and trails Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso by nine RBIs for the league lead, keeping alive a rare historical pursuit achieved by only Miguel Cabrera in 2012 over the last six decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What milestone is Pete Crow-Armstrong chasing in the final week?

According to Yahoo Sports, Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong needs two stolen bases to join the 40/40 club, having already hit 45 home runs.

Who leads the National League wild-card race?

The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies enter the final week within one game of each other, according to Yahoo Sports.

Which team holds the current record for the worst division-winning record?

The 2005 San Diego Padres hold the record for the lowest-winning division title at 82-80, a mark that could be broken this season by the AL West winner, according to Yahoo Sports.

What are Yordan Alvarez’s stats in the American League?

According to Yahoo Sports, Yordan Alvarez leads the American League with a .313 batting average and a 1.027 OPS, alongside 40 home runs and 99 RBIs.