The dog days of August wear you out in the pennant race.

Teams are full of injuries.  Pitchers have fatigued.  Lineups are worn out.

It’s in the air everywhere, the playoff chase and race, and so it is with the team in the National League wildcard hunt.

PADRES…The general thought is the AJ Preller trades to import short term rentals Robbie Ray and Casey Mize will pay dividends.  The starting rotation at this hour is more trustworthy than a week ago today. The key, aside from getting quality starts, will be if this lineup, top to bottom, can all hit to career averages.  We don’t need Manny Machado hitting (.213) or Ryan Sheets in a (.214) funk.  This franchise needs these guys to earn their pay and hit.  Don’t tell me how good you used to be, show me over the next five weeks of the season..

PHILLIES..Not the season anyone expected, with the payroll and the big names.  They were aggressive at the trade deadline, but the Quakers need to hit home runs and play better defense.  This longball drought over the last two weeks has hurt this team.  That means Kyle Schwarber-Bryce Harper-Alec Bohm-JT Realmuto need to hit bombs.  Luis Arraez will be a good addition to the batting order.  They could get this cranked up again-have to.

ARIZONA..Nolan Arenado is having a bounceback season, especially with homers.  The D-Backs need a couple of big money guys to live up to their paychecks, Ketel Marte, Gabe Moreno, and Gerardo Perdomo etc.  It is debatable if the Snakes have enough starting pitching.

CUBS..They won’t catch Milwaukee but they have to scare everyone who will be in the wildcard round with them.  They can hit.  They can field.  Their battered starting rotation is getting healthy, and GM-Jed Hoyer traded to get arms in the rotation and the bullpen.  You don’t want to play these guys at Wrigley Field in October, and these guys will host games infront of the Ivy covered walls.

PIRATES…Young guys who can hit, but without Paul Skenes being vintage Paul Skenes, they won’t make it.

MIAMI..Young bats, and the return of once-ace Sandy Alcantara has made them a competitive team this year.  But not enough arms.

ST LOUIS..the surprise team in the first half of the season, but fading.  Not enough big bats to help Alec Burleson, and a worn down pitching staff.

Seven teams fighting for 3-wildcard spots with just 5-weeks left in the season.  Pressure everywhere.  Time to go get it done.

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