Hey, it's Zack.
September is here. Twenty-six games left for most teams, and for a lot of them, every game from here on out carries significant weight.
Before we get into the races, let me describe what it is like when you are in a playoff race as September rolls around, or just counting down the days until you pack your stuff and head home.
THE ENTRANCE
August is about surviving. September is about finishing.
When the calendar flips, something changes in a clubhouse. The exhaustion is still there, but it gets pushed aside. If your team is in it, the energy builds every single day. Wins feel bigger. Losses sting more. You start doing the math after every game. The front office is doing it too. What do we need? What has to happen? How many games left against the teams ahead of us?
With the 2014 Orioles, we had a real division lead going into September, and we had a countdown going. We knew exactly what we needed to clinch, and every day we got a little closer. When you have something to play for in September, it has a way of keeping everyone locked in.
With the Yankees, September was different. We were always in it, but making the playoffs was just the starting point. The organization was deliberate about getting guys healthy and fresh for October. Rest became a priority. Players who needed time got it. There was an infrastructure around winning in New York. The expectation that everything was built toward one thing: World Series or bust is not just a saying in that clubhouse. It shapes every decision from the first day of spring training through the last out of the season. In Baltimore, we wanted a World Series just as badly, but most of the time, we had scratched and clawed to get to the playoffs in the first place. That changes how September feels. With the Orioles, every win in September felt like something we had earned. With the Yankees, every win in September felt like something we were supposed to get.
For a young player, September is a defining moment. Can you get big outs when the game is on the line? Can you handle the pressure in the box when it matters most? Careers can be defined in September. The players who step up in this month are the ones who stick around. The ones who fade tend to find themselves somewhere else the following spring.
Not every clubhouse looks the same in September. If you are in a race, every single day has a purpose. You show up locked in. You are prepared, so when the opportunity comes, you are not the reason the team lost. Individual numbers stop mattering. When you are out of it, September is a different experience entirely. Some guys are trying to finish strong and build a case for next year. Young players are fighting to prove they belong. Some veterans get shut down by the organization. Guys are already thinking about the offseason. The focus is scattered and less team-centered.
THE DELIVERY
The NL Central race is the most compelling story in baseball right now. The Cubs beat the Brewers 17-3 last night at Wrigley, setting a team record with 9 home runs in one game. Alex Bregman hit three of them. Milwaukee still leads by seven games with 24 left to play, and the two teams play again tonight. The Cubs lead baseball in runs scored this season. They have the offense to make any series interesting. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit 14 home runs in August alone and is playing as well as anyone in baseball. If the Cubs are going to make a run, he is the reason why. But seven games is a lot of ground to make up in September. Milwaukee has the best run differential in baseball and the best record in the NL. Last night was a statement win for Chicago. They need several more of them.
In the NL East, the Braves lead the Phillies by four games. Atlanta had a ten-and-a-half-game lead earlier this season; the Phillies clawed it back to two and a half, and now the Braves are pulling away again. Philadelphia has gone 8 and 2 in their last ten and won five straight heading into tonight. These two teams have seven head-to-head games remaining. The Phillies are not done.
The AL wild card picture has the Yankees and Red Sox comfortable at the top. The Guardians hold the third spot. The Orioles are half a game back, and the Blue Jays are a game and a half back. Baltimore has won four straight. Every game between now and September 27 is essentially a playoff game for these teams.
The White Sox lead the AL Central at 72 and 65, but the Guardians have closed to within three games on an 8-and-2 run. Chicago has been fading since the deadline, and Cleveland is coming.
In the AL West, the Astros lead at 70 and 68 with the Rangers two games back. Houston has a negative run differential and has been winning close games all season. The Rangers have won two straight, and DeGrom just threw seven shutout innings against the Athletics to get back on track. September has a way of rewarding teams that are built the right way. Both of these teams believe that is them.
THE SAVE
Before I wrap up this week, I want to highlight the CBA negotiations for one second. The current agreement expires on December 1. Both sides have exchanged proposals, and the gap between them is significant, which is normal for this time of year. A lockout will most likely take place, as it did last go-around. The real question is centered around a work stoppage. Does MLB let it get to that point? Time will tell. It depends on how badly the owners want the salary cap. I have been following these negotiations closely and will be covering them in depth in the coming weeks. For now, just know that what happens off the field this fall matters as much as what happens on it.
Back to September. The teams still in it know what is at stake. Playoff baseball is just around the corner!
Talk soon, Z
The Save is a personal newsletter based on my own experiences, opinions, and recollections. The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not represent any team, organization, union or employer past or present. When discussing players, contracts or organizational decisions I am sharing my perspective as a former player — not making legal or financial claims. When I share stories involving others I am telling them from my point of view. When I share tips or lessons I am sharing what worked for me. Always do your own research and consult professionals when making important decisions.