With the trade deadline now passed and the pennant stretch still ahead, CNNSI.com's John Donovan takes a look at the playoff contenders as baseball rolls into the final two months of the season. Click here to see the National League or to see the latest wild-card standings.
EAST New York Yankees   What they have: A studly homer-hitting lineup, including Alfonso Soriano (.310, 26 homers, 66 RBIs), Jason Giambi (.319, 28, 87), Bernie Williams (.324, 14, 67) and Derek Jeter (.306, 12, 50). Better defense after the trade for Raul Mondesi. A pitching staff that could be really deep if the trade for Jeff Weaver (from Detroit) works as planned. And the Yankee mystique, which has helped put them in the Series for four straight years. What they need: More production from Mondesi (.224 as a Yankee), a healthy Roger Clemens (sidelined by a sore groin), more consistency from Mike Mussina (a pedestrian 4.80 ERA) and a lot of hope that closer Mariano Rivera (four blown saves in 28 chances) is healthy. If waiver claims are to be made, expect the Yanks to be out front. Make or break series: None. After three games at home against Boston Sept. 2-4, the Yanks don't play anyone with a winning record. Playoff outlook: A practical cinch. And once they make the playoffs … well, they're the Yanks. It'd be wise not to bet against them.
Boston Red Sox   What they have: Pedro Martinez (14-2, 2.36 ERA) and Derek Lowe (14-5, 2.23) lead a staff with the best ERA in the league (3.72). The offense, which got stronger with the trade for Cliff Floyd, already has five guys with at least 50 RBIs (Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, Shea Hillenbrand, Trot Nixon and Brian Daubach). And Johnny Damon (80 runs) sparks it all. What they need: The Red Sox will be looking for pitching, both starters and in the pen, on waivers this month. That may be the only thing that separates them from the Yankees in the race for the pennant in the AL East. Make or break series: Three games at Yankee Stadium Sept. 2-4 and then the Sox don't play a winning team the rest of the way. Playoff outlook: Too close to call. The Red Sox are good, good enough to make the postseason. But the teams out West will not let up.
CENTRAL Minnesota Twins   What they have: A huge lead in the AL Central, thanks to a poor season from the rest of the division and the emergence of guys like Torii Hunter (.315, 24 homers, 72 RBIs). The Twins are solid, with the second-best average (.280) in the AL and pitching that is among the league's best. Backup starter Johan Santana was 5-2, 3.32 ERA in nine starts -- and he's probably headed for the pen. "Everyday" Eddie Guardado leads the league with 32 saves. What they need: Brad Radke, who hasn't pitched since late May, is about to return. That will give the Twins one of the best rotations in the majors (Radke, Eric Milton, Joe Mays, Rick Reed). The Twins don't have a glaring weakness. They are the best-fielding team in the AL, they can hit for average and power and they have the pitching as the base for it all. Make or break series: Nothing will break the Twins, not before the postseason, anyway. Their second-half collapse of last season is long forgotten. Playoff outlook: They're in. And once there, that pitching is dangerous. There may not be a more balanced team among contenders.
WEST Seattle Mariners   What they have: Ichiro Suzuki is having another All-Star season (.351). John Olerud is sizzling (.298, 17 homers, 64 RBIs). Bret Boone isn't hitting homers, but he has 64 RBIs. The pitching staff is solid (3.75 ERA, second in the AL). Kaz Sasaki is still fine as a closer (27 saves in 31 chances), part of the best bullpen in the AL. The defense is third best in the AL. What they need: The M's were quiet on the trade front in July, but they could use more power (10th in homers and eighth in total bases) and a reliable starter behind Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer and Joel Pineiro. James Baldwin (6-7, 4.31 ERA) has been disappointing. Make or break series: Three games at home against Oakland Sept. 24-26, then three on the road at Anaheim to end the season. Playoff outlook: Good, but not guaranteed. The M's are just not as potent. They're only sixth in runs scored and ninth in slugging percentage.
Anaheim Angels   What they have: A boatload of confidence, a good pitching staff (the 3.91 ERA is third in the AL) headlined by Jarrod Washburn (12-3, 3.23) and a solid hitting team (.278, fourth) with Garret Anderson (.301, 18 homers, 79 RBIs), Tim Salmon (.287, 16, 67; .317 since the end of April) and Troy Glaus (16 homers, 67 RBIs). What they need: The Angels got some depth by trading for outfielder Alex Ochoa (from Milwaukee) at the trade deadline. They could have used another front-line starter, or at least some more consistency from Ramon Ortiz, Kevin Appier or Aaron Sele. Still, the bullpen has the second-best ERA in the league (3.29). They're OK. Make or break series: The AL West is so tight, any of three teams could make it into the postseason -- or keep another from making it. At Seattle (Sept. 20-22) and at home against the M's (Sept. 27-29) are critical. Playoff outlook: Good. It'll come down to September. Ten of the Angels' final 13 games are against Oakland and Seattle.
Oakland Athletics   What they have: A good all-around team with one of the most feared rotations in baseball: Barry Zito (15-3, 3.02 ERA), Tim Hudson (7-9, 3.63) and Mark Mulder (11-6, 3.61). Billy Koch is a fine closer (25 saves). The acquisition of switch-hitting Ray Durham from the White Sox (he was hitting .299 with 48 RBIs) adds speed and run-scoring possibilities. Miguel Tejada (23 homers, 84 RBIs) and Eric Chavez (20, 65) will help drive him in. What they need: Oakland is ninth in runs scored in the league, so the Durham deal was big. They got lefty Ricardo Rincon from the Indians to shore up the bullpen and former Yankee Ted Lilly to be a starter. Shoulder soreness has sidelined Lilly, so the depth among starters could be better. Make or break series: The Sept. 24-26 series in Seattle is huge, but it may not mean much if they don't do well at home against Anaheim Sept. 16-19. Playoff outlook: Decent-to-good. The pitching is strong enough to get them there, and the offense, when it's kicking, is good. The M's and Anaheim are good, too, though. And then there's Boston.
All photos AP