Look at AL Central

As the now , the AL Central looks to be dominated by the Royals.  For the remainder of the season, the rest of the teams will be playing for a chance to earn a wild card spot.Let's take a quick look at the standings.

1st Place: Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is a contender. Currently 20 games over .500 , the Royals are in a great position. As long as they keep up the pace, they should have the #1 seed in the American League. After having seven players on the American League All-Star , it's no wonder  why the Royals are dominating as such.

2nd Place: Minnesota Twins

Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals

Currently eight games behind the Royals , the Minnesota Twins have put themselves in a solid position to contend for the wild card, currently holding on for dear life for the last and final wild card spot. In order to hold onto the last wild card spot, the Twins must improve, only winning 4 out of their last 10 games.

3rd Place: Detriot Tigers
While 3 games under .500, the Tigers are only 3.5 games back from a spot in the wild card. They will need Miguel Cabrera and others will have to step it up and make a run!

4th Place: The Chicago WhiteSox
Also 3 games under .500, the WhiteSox also must make a run to get into the wild card. In their last 10 games, the WhiteSox are on a roll, winning the last 7 out of 10 games. Don't be surprised if the WhiteSox earn a playoff spot.

Last: Cleveland Indians 
While the Indians are a whooping 14.5 games back, they are not completely out out it. There are only 3 games behind the WhiteSox and Tigers, which are both teams still in the hunt for a wild card spot. The closer they get to those teams, the closer they get to a chance to make the playoffs. Next week, the Indians have an important series against the Twins. This may be their last opportunity.

A look at the AL East

As the now , the AL East is considerably close and should stay that way for the remainder of the rest of the season. Let's take a quick look at the standings.

1st Place : New York Yankees
The Yankees are on a hot streak! Winning 7 out of their last 10 games, look for them to really get it together to win the division. Health and Alex Rodriguez's solid performance will be key as they look to make a run if in the playoffs.

2nd Place: Toronto Blue Jays
At nearly .500, the Blue Jays are keeping their heads above water. If the Yankees continue to play well, the Blue Jays will look to earn a wild card spot.

3rd Place:  Tampa Bay Rays
Currently one game behind the Blue Jays , the Rays haven't performed up to par like usual. However, they are definitely still in the hunt. They will need to make a solid run in attempt to get in better position towards making the playoffs.

4th Place: Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles aren't in bad position. They are currently only half a game back from the Rays and a game and a half from the Blue Jays. Currently only winning 3 out of the last 10, they will need to win , they will need to get on winning streak.

Last: Boston Red Sox
Right now, Boston is just not looking good. With a 43-55 record, the Red Sox may need to focus on trying to improve over the off-season: unless they make a heck of a run.

The AL East should be very interesting throughout the month of August, seeing as these teams are so close. One good run and propel a team to first, while one losing streak can drastically change the standings.

Astros turning future promise to present day production

For the last almost half decade the Houston Astros have been a complete and utter laughing stock of the MLB and have been the poster child for on-field incompetence across most majors sports leagues. But while the major league product meanders their way through the regular season, hope was being in the minor league created through savvy trades and quality draft choices by Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow. By building a building a quality farm system most MLB teams would envy, Luhnow was able to pull of a trade for Atlanta Braves slugger Evan Gattis for right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, third baseman Rio Ruiz and right-hander Andrew Thurman. Gattis' position is yet to be determined, but his power bat that includes 43 HRs over the past two seasons with the Braves is not in question. Beyond the on-field production that the  Gattis trade brings it also dawns a new era in Astros baseball that involves less hope for the future and more present day results.

Astros mantra for the awhile has seemed to be "wait 'til next year" or "wait 'til these prospects reach the majors, " but this mindset combined with a major local TV negotiation feud that left the majority of the Houston area without Astros games for a number of seasons has lead to waning fan interest. Now with some of the promised young talent actually reaching the majors, George Springer in particular, along with trades have resulted in what looks to be in a major league lineup that can actually compete in the American League. The days of hoping and wishing for the Astros to be produce are replaced with real expectations of winning and competing for a playoff wildcard spot this season. All that's left now is to wait and see if all of these moves result in something for Astros other than the comedy of errors the team has made famous over the past several seasons.