Opinion

We've all encountered people who, for one reason or another, insist that baseball is simply too boring to watch, too slow-paced for their liking. I'm here to tell you that laughing at those folks is an entirely acceptable response, for they clearly have no idea what they're talking about.

With roughly five weeks left in the regular season, we have five division races in which the second-place team sits no more than five games off the lead. A third of the teams in baseball are within five games of a wild-card berth.

The debate no longer exists.

It is over. There is a clear answer by now. And it really isn’t even close enough for an argument to be had.

The National League Central is Major League Baseball’s best division, boasting three of the four best records in the game and the top three in the NL. If that trend holds up over the final six-plus weeks of the regular season, it would be historic, as no division in the wild-card era has ever housed its league’s three best records.

A casual baseball fan I know said the other day that this is a good season, because there are so many good teams.

Meanwhile, a favorite topic among those who follow the game a lot closer is that there just aren't many great teams.

Either way, we should be headed for some real fun over the next six-and-a-half weeks. Even with the two Central Division races basically decided, that still leaves four division crowns and four wild-card spots up for grabs. It leaves the possibility of surprise teams getting in and of big-money powerhouses getting left out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring a second aging former Philadelphia Phillies superstar, and, like the first, the move has the potential to be an upgrade.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before long, Chris Sale is eminently capable of doing at least two things (and, probably, much, much more).

Winning his first American League Cy Young Award. He's finished in the top six in each of the past three seasons, including third last year. Mark it down: He will win. Oh yes, he will.

Being voted Big League Pitcher Most Likely to Fly Away.

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's…whoa, is that thing wearing a Chicago White Sox cap and spikes?

The non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, but the Toronto Blue Jays might have one more big addition left up their sleeves.

Yes, Troy Tulowitzki and David Price were huge pickups, and since they arrived north of the border, the Jays have streaked to the forefront of the playoff chase.

But right now, we're talking about a guy who's been there all along, waiting in the wings: Marcus Stroman.

The Boston Red Sox needed a new leader. Dave Dombrowski needed a new job. Sometimes, these things work out.

To compete in MLB at this stage of the season, a team has to be able to mash the ball.

Which squads strike the most fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers?

Bleacher Report's Scott Miller joins Courtney Fallon to list his five scariest lineups as we steam toward baseball's stretch run.

For the first time in a number of years, several big names are being discussed in possible MLB waiver deals.

Chase Utley has long been rumored to be on the move, and now a handful of other All-Stars have joined him as the subjects of trade speculation.

Who are the top five waiver trade targets out there?

There are a few major names being dangled in MLB waiver trade deadline rumors.

Chase Utley and Jose Reyes are just a couple of the names drawing interest from teams looking to bolster rosters before September 1 and the push for October.