September has arrived! Every week I update the projected standings based on my version of Bill James's baseball pythagorean theorem. Like the orginal, the projections are based on a team's runs scored and runs allowed. However, I only project a team's remaining games and add that on to what has already transpired, and I also factor in a team's strength of schedule and the strength of the division they play in. Without further ado, here are the projected standings (the +/- after a team's projected record is how many projected wins the team has gained/lost since last week):AL WEST
1. Athletics, 93-69, +3
2. Angels, 84-78, 0
2. Rangers, 83-79, -1
4. Mariners, 77-85, +3
AL CENTRAL
1. Tigers, 100-62, -2
2. White Sox, 94-68, -1
2. Twins, 94-68, 0
4. Indians, 79-83, +2
5. Royals, 59-103, +1
AL EAST
1. Yankees, 97-65, -1
2. Red Sox, 87-75, -3
3. Blue Jays, 84-78, -2
4. Orioles, 73-89, +2
5. Devil Rays, 64-98, -2
AL WILD CARD
1. White Sox, 0 GB
2. Twins, 0 GB
DIVISION SERIES MATCHUPS: Athletics vs. Tigers, White Sox vs. Yankees
NL WEST
1. Dodgers, 86-76, +2
2. Padres, 82-80, 0
3. Giants, 80-82, +1
4. Diamondbacks, 78-84, -1
5. Rockies, 76-86, 0
NL CENTRAL
1. Cardinals, 86-76, +2
2. Reds, 81-81, -3
3. Astros, 80-82, +3
4. Brewers, 74-88, -4
5. Cubs, 66-96, -3
6. Pirates, 65-97, 0
NL EAST
1. Mets, 100-62, +1
2. Phillies, 82-80, 0
3. Marlins, 79-83, +2
4. Braves, 78-84, +1
5. Nationals, 68-94, -1
NL WILD CARD
1. Phillies, 0 GB
1. Padres, 0 GB
3. Reds, 1 GB
4. Astros, 2 GB
4. Giants, 2 GB
6. Marlins, 3 GB
DIVISION SERIES MATCHUPS: Cardinals vs. Mets, Phillies vs. Dodgers
The A's are absolutely on fire and charging fast. If Rich Harden comes back and has any impact, this team will be really scary. Quietly Oakland has asserted itself as a power in the American League that rivals anyone...The National League wild card is tightening up again. It looked like a few teams may separate last week...I kept waiting for the Reds to fade and they may finally be giving up the ghost.