The long days of summer are upon us, and as temperatures rise, so does the intensity of the Major League Baseball season. This time of year has long been referred to as the dog days of summer, a term with roots in antiquity. The phrase was historically linked to the period following the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star, which Hellenistic astrology associated with heat, drought, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. While modern science understands that the hottest part of the summer is caused by the Earth’s tilt, not by a distant star’s heat, the metaphor for the late-season baseball grind is still perfectly fitting.
For MLB teams, this period is a true test of endurance, where a relentless schedule and physical exhaustion can lead to the bad luck the ancients feared. It’s a time when momentum is everything, and the margin for error shrinks with every passing game. As August pushes on, the divisional races are turning into high-stakes showdowns between division rivals.
A look at the National League reveals just how quickly fortunes can change. In the NL Central, the race is a two-team spectacle between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs held the divisional lead most of the season and at one point had a comfortable 6.5-game lead, but the Brewers have gone on a stunning 45-16 run since late May and currently have 3.0-game lead. This shift is a perfect example of how the dog days can expose a team’s weaknesses.
The Cubs’ offense, which was a force early in the season, has gone cold, with key hitters like Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki struggling mightily over the last 30 days. This offensive slump has been compounded by significant pitching injuries, including the season-ending loss of ace Justin Steele back in April. And a recent setback for newly acquired starter Michael Soroka, who landed on the IL after just two innings in his Cubs debut. The Brewers, meanwhile, have been on a historic tear, a testament to a team that seems to have found a perfect rhythm. The entire trajectory of this divisional race will hinge on an absolutely critical five-game series scheduled to be played at Wrigley Field from August 18th thru the 21st. For the Cubs, this series will be their last chance to potentially close the gap and even take first place back. For the Brewers, it’s shaping up as an opportunity to deliver a knockout blow and all but clinch the division.
The National League’s other divisions are also boiling over with tension. In the NL East, a fierce rivalry has been brewing between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets. The Phillies currently hold a 2.5-game lead, but the race is far from over. Both teams were active at the trade deadline, with the Phillies adding power pitcher Jhoan Duran and the Mets overhauling a struggling bullpen with multiple key additions, including two-time All-Star Ryan Helsley and submariner Tyler Rogers. With seven head-to-head games remaining between the two teams, the division seems destined to be decided in the final weeks of the season. Both teams feature star players who are among the league leaders in offensive production, with Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies and Juan Soto of the Mets both in the top ten in the National League for On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS).
Out in the NL West, the San Diego Padres have made it their mission to disrupt the Los Angeles Dodgers’ long-held dynasty. The Dodgers have won the division an astonishing 12 out of the last 13 years. To prevent them from winning a 13th title, the Padres’ front office made a bold, aggressive series of moves at the trade deadline. They acquired a slate of players including star reliever Mason Miller, designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, and outfielder Ramón Laureano, crucially without trading away their frontline starter, Dylan Cease. The Dodgers, by contrast, were relatively quiet, seemingly confident in their already stacked roster. This creates a compelling narrative: a proactive, ambitious team directly challenging a juggernaut that is relying on its established power and stability.
The American League is home to its own share of compelling storylines that have defied preseason expectations. The AL East is a prime example. The Toronto Blue Jays are a genuine surprise, having emerged as division leaders. They’ve had to fend off a serious charge from the Boston Red Sox, who were recently one of the hottest team in baseball holding a seven-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees, a perennial favorite, are in the unfamiliar position of fading away, having recently lost a series to the Marlins. This poor performance, particularly from a bullpen that posted a 6.03 ERA in July, led the Yankees to undertake a massive overhaul at the trade deadline, acquiring a number of relievers, including David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird. The return of an Aaron Judge following his injury is the wildcard that could re-energize this team, which is still being called a sleeping giant.
In the AL Central, the story is one of a once-monumental lead now being threatened. The Detroit Tigers had a 14-game lead just a month ago, but that cushion has now shrunk to 6.0 games. The Tigers have been slumping, losing 16 of their last 23 games, and are now hearing the footsteps of the Cleveland Guardians, who have been on a remarkable 19-7 run to pull themselves back into contention. While the Tigers are still considered overwhelming favorites by betting oddsmakers with -10000 odds, the on-field narrative suggests that their drought without a division title since 2014 is far from over. The six games between the two teams in September could prove to be the ultimate deciding factor.
Finally, in the AL West, the divisional race has been the most exciting, with three teams making serious pushes for the title. The Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers all loaded up at the trade deadline, setting the stage for a dramatic final two months. The Mariners are widely considered to have “won the deadline” by adding power hitters Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor to their lineup, giving them what some are calling the scariest roster in the American League. The Astros made a splash of their own by bringing back former star Carlos Correa to play third base and fill a void left by the injured Isaac Paredes. The Texas Rangers, starting rotation has the best ERA in the Majors, are also a serious contender, proving that any of the three could take the division.
Here’s the thing, folks: The heat of these divisional races will only intensify. The challenges of this period are very real for every team in baseball.
With that… The stage is set for an epic conclusion. The coming weeks will determine who has the mental fortitude, strategic depth, and raw talent to survive the grueling dog days and emerge with a ticket to the postseason.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!