We've reached the point of the MLB season where contending teams are making trades to bolster their postseason chances. There's no doubt that there will be plenty of moves made this summer. Who's rolling and who's sliding?
Rolling: Los Angeles Dodgers: The winners of 11 straight are starting to pull away with the league's best record. Cody Bellinger and Alex Wood have helped the Dodgers skyrocket to the top, giving Dodger fans hope for this season. The Dodgers are looking at the likes of Brad Hand and Zach Britton to help boost their bullpen. Will this be the year the Dodgers make (and win) the World Series?
Rolling: Milwaukee Brewers: In just five days, the Brewers' lead in the NL Central has shrunk to a mere game. They've lost five straight and their division rival, the Chicago Cubs, have won six straight. The Brewers need to make a move now if they're to contend for the division and win.
Rolling: Chicago Cubs: Suddenly, the defending champions are riding a six-game winning streak and closing in on Milwaukee. Adding Jose Quintana helps the Cubs, but it seems like they're not done making moves.
Rolling: Kansas City Royals: 2-7 in their last nine games, the Royals have fluctuated from sellers to potential buyers back down to sellers. This may be the last hurrah for the Royals since many players are free agents at the end of the season, so the Royals should decide if they want to give it one last push or tear it all down.
Rolling: Seattle Mariners: Ironically, the Mariners are 7-2 since getting swept at Safeco by those same Royals, including a series win at Houston. They've added David Phelps to give their 'pen a pick-up and may get Hisashi Iwakuma back for the end of the season. If Felix Hernandez returns to Cy Young form, the M's could make their first postseason appearance in 16 years.
Reeling: New York Yankees: Will adding Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle help the Yankees make the postseason? Not if players like Aaron Judge keep slumping; Judge has gone 3-for-26 with no extra-base hits since the All-Star break. The Yankees have lost 22 of their last 32 games and are slipping in the AL East.
Rolling: Pittsburgh Pirates: Surprise! The Pirates are 8-2 in their last ten games and are suddenly closing in on the NL Central. Three games back of the Brewers in the Central, the Bucs have a big question regarding if they want to add pieces for a postseason run.
Reeling: Cleveland Indians: Starting off 1-5 after the All-Star break isn't ideal for the defending AL champions. They had a horrid Bay Area trip that helped the Minnesota Twins close the gap in the AL Central. The Indians could use another starter since the hitter's market is rather anemic. Maybe Sonny Gray can help if he doesn't go to the Astros or Yankees?
Rolling: Washington Nationals: The Nats got out of the post-All-Star break gate winning five straight games. They've also acquired Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle to hold their sloppy bullpen together. They might not be done adding to their 'pen; the Nationals have shown interest in Tigers reliever Justin Wilson.
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