With the All-Star break still fresh on fans' minds, they must now turn their attention to the playoff hunt. Before the break, it was acceptable to think that the playoffs are still a while away. Now, some teams need to start clicking on all cylinders if they want to make the playoffs.

In the American League, the Yankees have been hot as they now own the best record in the AL. Boston, on the other hand, has lost 6 of their last 10 games.

The AL East usually comes down to the Yankees or Red Sox, with the exception of last year. This year, things are back on track as New York hold a 2.5 game lead over the Sox. The Rays have fallen to 6.5 games back of the lead. Luckily for Boston, they are leading the Wild Card race. Not so lucky for Tampa Bay, the defending AL Champs are still 4 games back. Being that the title of this article include the word "forecast," I have to figure out who will finish on top in the AL East.

The way things look, I have to say New York. The Yankees always get hot after the All-Star break. This means that unless you already have a sizable lead in the division, you probably won't catch them. The one thing that could come back to haunt them is the fact that they're so terrible against Boston this season. The first half of the season goes like this: Boston- 8, NY- 0. Not a great stat if you're New York. The teams will face each other ten more times before the season is over. As long as the Yankees don't lose all ten, they'll be ok.

As far as the AL Central, the Tigers hold a 2 game lead over the White Sox and a 4 game lead over the Twins. The Indians and Royals are way behind (12,14 gb) and have almost no chance of coming back. Detroit has lost 6 of their last 10 games, but the Sox have 5 of their last 10. If they want to win that division they'll have to take advantage of any slip the Tigers may have. It's really hard to say who is going to come out on top of the AL Central. Both the Tigers and Sox are great at home, but bad on the road. The Tigers have a better run differential at +30, compared to just +3 for the Sox, so I'm going to have to go with them.

In the AL West, the Angels have a 3.5 game lead over the Rangers. The next closest team is Seattle at 7.5 games back, then finally the A's who are 17 games back (AKA out of the chase). Again, I'm going to have to go with the team currently on top and say the Angels are going to win the division. They've won the West 4 out of the last 5 seasons and have the experience to do it again, even with the loss of K-Rod.

The NL East is simple. The Phillies are going to win for a 3rd straight year. As it stand, Florida and Atlanta are 6.5 games back, with the Mets struggling to do anything positive at 10.5 back, and the Nationals at an insurmountable 27 games back. Plain and simple, the Phillies are hot. Unless they go ice cold and another team gets hotter than they've been, they're safe.

Perhaps the closest race in baseball is the NL Central. Right now the Cubs are up a half game on the Cardinals. Of course, this could change by the end of the night. The Astros are 2 back and the Brewers are 3 back. Cincinnatti is 7 back, and the Pirates bring up the rear at 9 games back. With this division it's hard to believe the Reds or Pirates have any chance. Right now, the Cubs are hot, winning 8 of their last 10. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have lost 6 of their last 10. But, you can never count out any team that has a hitter like Albert Pujols on it. Even though the Cards' pitching has been a bit shaky at times, I think they'll come through. The Cubs will eventually cool off. St. Louis will win the division, with Chicago taking the NL Wild Card spot.

You would think that with the Central race so close, the Cards would already be in the Wild Card lead. That's not the case. Right now the Rockies are winning the Wild Card hunt. They're going to need to if they want any chance of making the playoffs. They sit in 2nd place in the NL West at 8 games behind the Dodgers, who have the best record in baseball. The Dodgers are a great team. Now with their best hitter back, they're even harder to beat. They win the West easily and the Rockies falter a bit late season and miss the playoffs.