So here we are entering the final month of the 1974 season.
Let's look at where things stand, starting with the SJL:
It continues to be a really good 4-team race in the SJL. For much of the season the surprise Philadelphia Mud Hens and the returning WPK champs, the Jacksonville Wolf Pack, have traded places at the top of the standings. But the very talented San Antonio Keys are hanging in there (admittedly, way over-performing their pythagorean win expectancy) and the always strong Washington Night Train (with the best run differential in the SJL) are still in the hunt as well. Although no teams have been mathematically eliminated in the SJL, those are the only 4 with a realistic hope to win the pennant.
What about the MGL?:
Okay, we really are trying very hard not to get over-confident. But the Brewers now head into September with a 10 1/2 game lead over their nearest competitor. And our run differential of +222 is more than 100 runs better than the next best, with is the Brooklyn Aces, who happen to be the team we lead by 10 1/2 games. We try to keep reminding ourselves that it "ain't over 'til it's over", but let's face it, for all intents and purposes, barring an historic collapse, it is pretty much over. At this point the statisticians have estimated that the Brewers have a 99.7% chance of winning the MGL. Good enough for me.