[FuzzyRussianHat]

The American League West battle remains the most intense divisional race in MLB history, as the three top contenders have the best three records in the entire majors. Detroit still holds the lead at 86-50, but they had a losing 13-15 record in August and saw their grip weaken. Minnesota moved up to second at 85-51 on a 20-8 tear for the month, while the Brewers are two back at 84-52.
In the AL East, Washington went 18-10 for August to grow their lead to nine games at 76-60. New York lost a ton of ground with a seven-game losing streak to end the month, putting them 67-69.

Pittsburgh and Boston were even for August, keeping the Pirates lead in the National League East Division at five games. At 82-54, Pittsburgh now holds the NL’s top record, ending the month on an 8-2 run. The Braves are 77-59, while New York lost ground, now ten back at 72-64.

New Orleans is now four behind the Pirates for the top seed after a losing month, but they still hold the NL West lead at 78-58. Three teams, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, each are seven games back at 71-65.

Yankees CF Danny Green was again AL Batter of the Month with a .343 average, 14 home runs, 33 RBI, and 19 runs in August. Green leads the majors in home runs with 43. Washington’s Ed Doheny took Pitcher of the Month on a 4-1 record, 1.64 ERA, and 50 strikeouts in 55 innings. Detroit RF Elmer Flick was yet again AL Rookie of the Month on a .378 average, 37 hits, 6 home runs, and 19 RBI. The #2 overall pick, Flick enters September with the best batting average in the majors (.360), the best OPS (1.104), and the most WAR for position players (9.3).

Phillies LF Joe Kelley was NL Batter of the Month on a .336 average, 10 home runs, 24 RBI, and 21 runs in August. Pittsburgh’s Jerry Nops was Pitcher of the Month on a 0.85 ERA, 4-1 record, and 45 Ks in 53 innings. Nops has the best qualifying ERA in MLB entering September at 1.99. Cubs CF Ginger Beaumont was NL Rookie of the Month with a .358 average, 8 homers, 20 runs, and 22 RBI.

The Twins gained ground despite a fractured finger for Hugh Duffy mid-month with a four week recovery time. Washington 3B Jud Smith suffered a torn flexor tendon, which ends his 1898 campaign. The Nationals are optimistic he’ll be back to start the next season. Washington also lost SP Bobby Wallace, who they just acquired in a trade, 4-5 weeks with elbow tendinitis. Detroit LF Chick Stahl suffered a hamstring strain and will miss much of September.

In milestones, both Giants 1B Dan Brouthers and Cardinals 1B Roger Connor reached 650 career doubles. They are tied for the most in MLB history at 654. Red Sox P/OF George Van Haltren was the sixth pitcher to 2500 career strikeouts. Reaching 2000 hits were Reds 1B Frank Fennelly, Cardinals 2B Reddy Mack, and Bisons C Fred Carroll. White Sox RF Dennis Casey and Cardinals LF Walt Wilmot both hit 1000 runs scored. Clowns 2B Spider Clark and Yankees CF Marty Sullivan got to 1000 RBI. Brouthers and Nationals 1B George Tebeau joined the 300 homer club.

Elsewhere in the world, the Spanish-American War came to an end in August 1898. The United States ultimately gained sovereignty over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines as a result of the victory. The US also established a protectorate over Cuba.