AL Contenders and Pretenders

We're now in what many baseball fans call the dog days of August in the MLB season. Teams are fighting for the playoff lives.

There are plenty of frauds out there, so be careful baseball fans. However, there are also some contenders that you definitely shouldn't sleep on.

AL Contenders

1. New York Yankees: As if you didn't already know, the Yankees are kind of a big deal this season. It's now been almost a decade since the Yankees won their last World Series, and that drought could come to an end this October. The starting pitching was the only thing holding this team back to start the season. That looks to be fixed and C.C Sabathia and A.J Burnett can mainly be thanked for that.

2. LA Angels: The Angels may be one of the most consistent team over the past decade outside of the Red Sox. They've got the second best record in the MLB since the All-Star break at 23-8. They beat the teams they are suppose to and play well against the good teams, too. Everyone except those pesky Rangers. These two teams still meet seven more times, and the Angels are still the better team.

3. Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox have been in a tailspin since the All-Star break. Outside of Josh Beckett, the pitching staff has cooled off. Not to mention the bats have looked horrible as of late. There's still no reason to press the panic button, though. Top to bottom this is still one of the best lineups in baseball and they'll get it together and pull out the AL wild card and still be dangerous in the playoffs.

AL Pretenders

1. Tampa Bay Rays: I loved the cinderella story the Rays showed the sports world in 2008. Too bad there's not going to be a sequel. This team is just too streaky and the AL is just too solid this season, even outside of the AL East.

2. Detroit Tigers: Even if the Tigers do win their mediocre division, they're not going anywhere in the playoffs. In fact, they'll most likely be swept by either the Angels or the Red Sox. The Red Sox just got done slapping them around this past week winning three of four.

3. Texas Rangers: I really like what this team has done so far. They're almost like the Tampa Bay Rays of last season. However, it's not going to end anywhere close to a World Series berth. The lineup is just a little to0 inexperienced and they'll falter down the stretch. The Rangers will get their chance to win the division as they play the Angles seven more times to try to steal the AL West. Sadly enough, they'll fall just short.