And just like that, the Major League season is almost halfway complete. With the season compressed into 66 days – and assuming we actually make it to late September – the 33-day mark is the equivalent of the start of July in a normal season, and we hit Day 33 on Aug. 24. We’re almost to the All-Star break! So, with the season in full swing, we continue taking a daily look on Aug 17 at the MLB Standings, how we got here, and what lies ahead in the pennant races.

Aug 17 MLB Standings Review

There are really only two divisions right now that feel particularly competitive, as teams like the A’s (16-6) and Cubs (13-6) have opened up considerable leads over the second-place teams in the AL West and NL Central, while the Yankees and Dodgers are heating up with five-game winning streaks entering play on Monday to give them a bit of separation in the AL East and NL West.

Where things are particularly interesting are in the NL East, where the Marlins are back on the field after their COVID-19 interruption and are in a virtual tie with the Braves. Atlanta has played eight more games than Miami, so things are still a big skewed in that race, but top-to-bottom, only four games separate first from last, and four of the teams play within the division to start the week, with the Nationals taking on the Braves and the Mets visiting the Marlins.

The AL Central also remains tightly bunched, with five games separating first from last. The Twins are still on top with a 14-8 record, but the Indians have moved to within a game and have won three straight. The Twins take on the Royals on Monday, while Cleveland is idle.

The only interleague games on the docket have West facing West. The Dodgers look to keep rolling against the struggling Mariners, while the surging A’s travel to Arizona for a series with the Diamondbacks, who swept the Padres over the weekend and have won four in a row.