Hunt for October: Follow baseball's post-season races
Get up to speed on who's in line to make the playoffs
It's time to give baseball your full and undivided attention.
With the regular season in its final month and the Toronto Blue Jays once again in playoff contention, there's plenty to be excited about.
But what about the rest of the majors? Here's a look at who's in line to make the post-season and contend for a pennant.
This story will be updated throughout September, so be sure to check back in regularly.
AL East
Who's leading: Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox
Who's close: While Toronto and Boston are tied for the lead, the Baltimore Orioles are 1½ games off the pace. For added intrigue, Toronto plays the O's and the Sox to close out the season.
Who to watch: Josh Donaldson is still bringing the rain, but Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is having an MVP-calibre season of his own. Oh, and he's one-third of the league's coolest post-game celebration.
AL Central
Who's leading: Cleveland Indians
Who's close: The Detroit Tigers are five games back of the Tribe, but do play seven games against Cleveland this month. The Kansas City Royals are still in contention as well at 7½games back.
Who to watch: Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is having a strong season, but it's Cleveland's rotation that's quietly putting together a consistent effort that should buoy the team into the post-season.
AL West
Who's leading: Texas Rangers
Who's close: The Houston Astros are still eight games back of the surging Rangers. Depending on how the wild card breaks down, we could get another Texas-Toronto post-season showdown.
Who to watch: Centre-fielder Ian Desmond is having an excellent first season in Arlington, perfectly complementing the offensive output from infielders Adrian Beltre and Rougned Odor.
AL Wild card
Who's leading: The Red Sox and Jays own the top spot, while the Orioles own a one-game edge on the Tigers for second.
Who's close: Houston is 1½ back and the New York Yankees are three back in a surprising plot twist.
Who to watch: Rookie sensation Gary Sanchez is off to a torrid start in pinstripes. Despite the small sample size (11 home runs and 21 RBIs in his first 30 games), Sanchez could be in consideration for rookie of the year if New York makes the post-season.
NL East
Who's leading: Washington Nationals
Who's close: The New York Mets may be my favourite squadron, but the team is eight games back in the division.
Who to watch: New York castoff Daniel Murphy leads the Nationals in batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, RBIs and making Mets fans curse the management team that let last year's NLCS MVP walk.
NL Central
Who's leading: Chicago Cubs
Who's close: No one, really. The Cubs own a historic 15½-game lead on second-place St. Louis and are nearly a lock to clinch the division.
Who to watch: Third baseman Kris Bryant is giving fans on Chicago's North Side hope of seeing the team's 108-year title drought finally end.
NL West
Who's leading: Los Angeles Dodgers
Who's close: The San Francisco Giants are four games back of their historic rivals, so don't count the team out. After all, it is an even-numbered year.
Who to watch: All eyes will be on L.A.'s perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw when he comes back from the disabled list. The Giants boast two Brandons — Crawford and Belt — who are shouldering the offensive load for the team.
NL Wild card
Who's leading: The Giants hold the top spot and a half-game edge over the No. 2 Cardinals.
Who's close: The Mets are a half-game game back and the Pittsburgh Pirates are hanging around at 5½ back, setting up a close contest for the one-game playoff.
Who to watch: Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is becoming the king of Queens, leading the Mets in nearly every offensive category. The Cards will rely on Stephen Piscotty, Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina to hold them off.