Well fans, it is mid-August and it is that time of the year when the Major League pennant races get serious. August and September are the most exciting months of the regular season for baseball fanatics and this year is proving to be quite a thrill. With the exception of the National League East, where the Mets are running away with the division title, the divisional races are tight. Add to that the fact that the Wild Card races involve at least six teams from each league and it is easy to see why the 2006 stretch run should prove to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory.

Let's start in the National League Central. The Cardinals have held on to first place for most of the season but have played far below their usual level of excellence. Injuries to key players and highly erratic pitching are to blame for the Cardinal's poor performance. As of this writing, the Red Birds are holding on to first place by a game and a half over the pesky Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have surprised most folks this year by putting together a good season, after finishing dead last in the division a year ago. What most pundits fail to realize is that Cincinnati began its rise to prominence last season, putting together one of the best records in baseball after the 2005 All-Star break. The Reds made improvements to their starting rotation and beefed up their bullpen and have managed to hang tough all year. The Reds and the Cardinals begin a crucial series this week in St. Louis. It may make or break one of the two teams.

In the National League West, the first five teams are separated by only four-and-a-half games as of Monday, August 14. The Dodgers are on a roll, winning 15 of their last 16 games and taking over first place. Los Angeles' rise is especially interesting, considering the Dodgers lost 13 of their first 14 games coming out of the All-Star break. For now, Los Angeles is the hottest team in baseball. Whether or not the Boys in Blue can keep it up remains to be seen. The recent acquisition of Greg Maddux is a big plus for the Dodgers.

Last year's division champs, the Padres, are still in the running for the division crown and can't be counted out. The problem in San Diego seems to be inconsistent pitching and a questionable bullpen. Star closer Rob Nen has been inconsistent and the Padres lack a quality set-up man.

Arizona and Colorado remain in the mix as well, so this division should prove the most difficult to predict. The Giants have faded out of contention.

In the American League East, the Yankees and Red Sox are staging their usual neck-and-neck run as the calendar marches toward September. New York went out and got Bobby Abreu from the Phillies and hope to have Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield back from the disabled list next month. Most experts now give the Yanks the edge, especially since Boston's catcher and team captain Jason Varitek went down with an injury. To make matters worse for Bean Town fans, the Red Sox pitching staff has been woefully inconsistent since July.

Toronto spent a fortune in the off-season, hoping to rise into contention with the Red Sox and Yankees. Although the Blue Jays have enjoyed a great season, they are still mired in third place and just don't have the horses to run with the thoroughbreds in New York and Boston.

Detroit has been the best team in baseball all season and has been seen as a lock to win the American League Central. Someone forgot to tell the White Sox. After spending much of the season languishing in second place, the Sox have staged an impressive run over the past two weeks and have cut deeply into the Tigers' lead. A week ago Monday the Tigers were 10 games in front of the Pale Hose. This past Monday, that lead had dwindled to five games. These teams go head-to-head often over the final month, so the division really remains up for grabs.

The Twins, after a disastrous start, righted the ship and ran off a streak that saw the team win 35 out of 42 games. Impressive to say the least. Still, look for Minnesota to be in the Wild Card hunt, but the division title is probably out of reach.

In the American League West, Oakland has once again blossomed in August. Entering the month in second place in a tightly contested division, the A's have won consistently and enjoy a four game lead over second place Los Angeles…or is it Anaheim? Whatever, the Angels, winners of the division for the past two years, will have to settle for a Wild Card slot at best in 2006.

How will all these races eventually end up come the first week of October? Stay tuned.