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In the American League, only two teams remain in competition for the division title. Leading the 1940's Division in the AL are the 1941 New York Yankees, who are 86-53. The '41 Yankees' magic number is currently 20. New York is 4th in the AL in runs against (470), 4th in SP ERA (3.10), 3rd in bullpen ERA (2.77), 2nd in overall ERA (3.03) and 3rd in defense. CF Joe DiMaggio (.336, 16 HR, 106 RBI) is the team's best hitter, while DH Tommy Henrich (.276, 30 HR, 94 RBI) boosts the lineup with his power. SP Marius Russo (21-2, 1.93) is the team's top pitcher and he leads the Majors in Wins. Making headlines for the team were three pitchers. On August 4th, SP Marv Breuer (11-10, 3.50) pitched a 6-0 win over the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays (56-58). Breuer allowed four hits, struck out 11 and walked one. On August 19th, SP Red Ruffing (13-11, 4.12) threw a 4-0 shutout win over the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics (66-64). Ruffing held the A's to three hits, while striking out three and walking one. On his next start on August 24th, Ruffing pitched an 8-0 win over the 1938 New York Yankees (71-62). Ruffing allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked five in the game. Finally, on August 28th, Russo threw a 4-0 win over the 1996 New York Yankees (66-70), allowing six hits, striking out 10 and walking two.

In second place, and 4 GB, are the 1943 New York Yankees at 82-57. The '43 Yankees are currently the #4 Wild Card, two games ahead of the nearest challenger. New York is 1st in the AL in runs against (415), 1st in SP ERA (2.62), 9th in bullpen ERA (3.22) and 1st in overall ERA (2.71). Here's a look at the rotation:

SP Spud Chandler 15-7, 1.34 1st in Majors in ERA, Shutouts (6)
SP Butch Wensloff 15-8, 2.64
SP Hank Borowy 16-9, 3.69
SP Tiny Bonham 14-8, 3.01
SP Bull Zuber 14-11, 2.52

CF Roy Weatherly (.302, 2 HR, 71 RBI) leads the team in average, while LF Charlie Keller (.279, 23 HR, 70 RBI) provides the power numbers. Making news for the team this month were two pitchers. On August 2nd, Chandler pitched a 1-0 win over the 1976 New York Yankees (46-66), allowing four hits, striking out seven and walking two. On August 30th, Bonham threw a 10-0 win over the 1919 Chicago White Sox (73-65). Bonham held the Black Sox to six hits, struck out two and walked two.

In the National League, the 1944 St. Louis Cardinals have all but secured the division title. At 93-46, they currently hold a 13 game lead. St. Louis' magic number is 11. The Cardinals are tied for 1st in the NL in runs against (429), are 1st in SP ERA (2.73), 12th in bullpen ERA (3.12), 1st in overall ERA (2.81) and 12th in defense. While CF Johnny Hopp (.345, 16 HR, 60 RBI) leads the team at the plate, the real success for this team has to do with their pitching staff.

SP Max Lanier 16-5, 1.72 1st in the NL in Shutouts (5)
SP Mort Cooper 12-9, 2.66
SP Harry Brecheen 14-6, 2.34
SP Ted Wilks 13-7, 3.88
SP Harry Gumbert 13-7, 3.22

Three players made headlines for the club this month. On August 11th, Lanier pitched a 4-0 shutout against the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals (51-70). Lanier allowed four hits, struck out 10 and walked one. On August 16th, Gumbert pitched a 4-0 win over the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals (70-55). Gumbert allowed three hits, struck out four and walked one. On August 22nd, Lanier threw an 11-0 win over the 2005 Houston Astros (68-63). Lanier held the 'Stros to three hits, struck out eight and walked three. On August 25th, RF Augie Bergamo (.232, 2 HR, 12 RBI) went 5 for 5 in a 7-5 loss to the 1976 Cincinnati Reds (90-44). Bergamo hit four singles and a triple. The following day, August 26th, against the same Reds team (90-45), Gumbert pitched a 5-0 shutout, allowing only three hits, striking out five and walking two.