Twenty-three of thirty teams entered the All-Star break within four games of a playoff spot.
That’s fun for fans. It’s dangerous for front offices. Because now almost everybody can build an argument for buying. "We’re three out.” “Get hot for a week and we’re in!”
Here’s the second set of questions nobody is asking. Have you outscored your opponents? What does your expected record say? How have you played against quality competition? Is the player you’re acquiring actually fixing the reason you lose?
The Dodgers earned Tarik Skubal. Tampa Bay earned Freddy Peralta. Milwaukee and Atlanta earned the right to push.
Minnesota, Texas, and Toronto need to convince someone.
Monday at six Eastern, the market closes. No more checking in. No more waiting for the price to come down. No more saying we’ll see where we are tomorrow.
That’s this week’s Division Line. Worth the extra few minutes.
