AL East

When the season began, Alex Rodriguez was an enigma. Then, suddenly, he was an offensive force. Now, as we enter the stretch run, the New York Yankees need him to be a savior.

Sure, if the season were to end today, the Yankees would host the American League Wild Card Game, their first dip into the postseason since 2012.

Chris Davis is back in line.

The man who looked primed to take over as Major League Baseball's home run king before being derailed by an atrocious 2014 and a drug suspension is again performing his craft as well as anyone in the sport.

If the New York Yankees' starting rotation were an '80s sitcom, it'd be titled Who's the Ace? And while Masahiro Tanaka might seem like the obvious answer—the Tony Danza character, if you will—Nathan Eovaldi is making his case.

As if you need another reminder that Derek Jeter's life is better than yours, here it is.

While some spend retirement traveling and golfing, Jeter is, oh wait, he is actually traveling and golfing.

But unlike Average Joe, he's traveling with a supermodel and on the golf course with POTUS. Jeter also takes time out from relaxation to collect awards, work on new business ventures and just generally crush his post-baseball life. 

September baseball has arrived, and with it comes meaningful games for playoff-hopefuls. Divisions are up for grabs and wild card races are heating up. The simple addition of one player to a contender this week could spell victory in the long run. 

The final month of the MLB's regular season allows teams to expand their rosters to 40 players through minor-league call-ups or, more importantly, getting healthy starters back from injury.

Lou Gehrig's record stood for a half-century, and it felt like it had been there forever.

Cal Ripken Jr.'s record has stood for 20 years, and it feels like...wait, has it really been 20 years since that fabulous night when he passed Gehrig by playing in his 2,131st consecutive game?

"It seems like yesterday in one way," Ripken said. "And then there's the realization that it's been 20 years."

As if things were not going to be difficult enough. 

The Toronto Blue Jays added game-changing pieces to their roster before the non-waiver trade deadline, and a barrage of wins and a sprint up the American League East standings ensued. They have taken over the top spot with a behemoth offense and strong pitching staff, and it does not look like they are going to slow down anytime soon. 

First baseman Mark Teixeira has been a driving force behind the New York Yankees' high-powered offense this season, but the American League All-Star is now banged up at a critical time.

Continue for updates.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Down here in the Atlantic League, the players hear the stories of what Shane Spencer did.

He came out of nowhere and became an instant star. He walked out of the minor leagues and into the World Series.

The hottest hitter on the planet has been massively overlooked.

But he did all he could to change that Saturday afternoon, breaking through the star power of his teammates to shine as bright as any player has this season.