Pam Richter
It's that wonderful time again, when separation is started to be created in the MLB standings. After April and May, teams are beginning to show their true colors.
The Washington Nationals are already 18 games out of first place in the N.L. East. The Arizona Diamondbacks are 15 games out of first place in the N.L. West. And the Oakland Athletics are nine games out of first place in the N.L. West.
The Nationals are playing how most people expected them to, as disheartening as that may be.
Other teams are being affected by the dog days of June where their players are experiencing wear and tear and making frequent stops on the Disabled List.
There's been talk constantly about the Mets and the number of players they have on the DL. Yes, the Mets have had some bad breaks recently, but it's the time of year where players are starting to get injured.
Let's look at their arch rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. Raul Ibanez, arguably the best hitter in the N.L. this year has just been sent to the DL. Brad Lidge is on the list right now and the team's best starter, Brett Myers (Myers was pitching better than ace, Cole Hamels before Myers' hip injury) will most likely be out the remainder of the season.
Let's fast forward to September of this year. I can hear it from the media - the Mets have had a lot of injuries, that's why they didn't make the post season.
In the dog days of June, every team has injuries and players are constantly going to the DL. The teams that can survive without their best players for periods of time, will be the ones that come out on top of their respective divisions.