Updated Playoff Races – 10/3 Every week, I will update you on the playoff races going on in the majors along with who those teams will face in the upcoming week. (Take note, All GB are based on loss column ONLY. I don’t believe in the ½ game stat because those are games that can be controlled by a team.
AL East
The Yankees went 3-4 against the Orioles and Rays allowing them to gain ground. The Rays could jump both teams as they play three against each this week.
1. NY 79 – 61 — (Off Day, 3 @ Bos 63 – 78, 3 vs. TB 77 – 63)
2. Bal 78 – 62 1 (Off Day, 3 vs. TB 77 – 63, 3 @ Oak 79 – 60)
3. TB 77 – 63 2 (Off Day, 3 @ Bal 78 – 62, 3 @ NY [AL] 79 – 61)
AL Central
Detroit won only a single game last week allowing the White Sox to gain two games. The Sox are in Detroit for the final four games these two teams will see against each other in the regular season.
1. Chi 75 – 64 — (4 @ Det 73 – 66, 3 @ Min 58 – 82)
2. Det 73 – 66 2 (4 vs. Chi [AL] 75 – 64, 3 @ Cle 59 – 81)
AL West
Oakland remains three behind the Rangers while the Angels went 6-0 last week to gain three games on Texas.
1. Tex 83 – 57 — (Off Day, 3 vs. Cle 59 – 81, 3 vs. Sea 67 – 74)
2. Oak 79 – 60 3 (4 @ LA [AL] 77 – 63, 3 vs. Bal 78 – 62)
3. LA 77 – 63 6 (4 vs. Oak 79 – 60, 3 @ KC 63 – 77)
NL East
Washington still holds a six-game lead on the Braves who are in solid shape to take the first Wild Card if they can’t catch the Nats. Both teams play each other three more times.
1. Was 86 – 54 — (3 @ NY [NL] 65 – 75, Off Day, 3 @ Atl 81 – 60) Magic Number: 17
2. Atl 81 – 60 6 (3 @ Mil 69 – 71, Off Day, 3 vs. Was 86 – 54)
NL Central
The Reds still hold a 10-game advantage over the Pirates and Cardinals.
1. Cin 82 – 53 — (3 vs. Pit 72 – 67, Off Day, 3 @ Mia 63 – 78) Magic Number: 14
NL West
The Dodgers mix of the injury bug and a stalled out offense has them falling out of contention in the West.
1. SF 79 – 61 — (3 @ Col 56 – 83, Off Day, 3 @ AZ 69 – 72) Magic Number: 17
2. LA 74 – 67 6 (Off Day, 2 @ AZ 69 – 72, 4 vs. Stl 75 – 65)
AL Wild Card
The AL WC picture remains the same with the exception of the Angels (by way of going 6-0 last week) who jumped to two GB.
WC1. Oak 79 – 60 — (4 @ LA [AL] 77 – 63, 3 vs. Bal 78 – 62)
WC2. Bal 78 – 62 — (Off Day, 3 vs. TB 77 – 63, 3 @ Oak 79 – 60)
2. LA 77 – 63 2 (4 vs. Oak 79 – 60, 3 @ KC 63 – 77)
2. TB 77 – 66 2 (Off Day, 3 @ Bal 78 – 62, 3 @ NY [AL] 79 – 61)
4. Det 73 – 66 4 (4 vs. Chi [AL] 75 – 64, 3 @ Cle 59 – 81)
NL Wild Card
The Braves seem to have a good hold on the first Wild Card spot. As for the second, who would like to play in the postseason? Anyone? Anyone? It seems as if the top three teams competing for that second spot don’t want to pull away from the pack. Will this allow Mil or Phi a chance to complete yet another late-season comeback?
WC1. Atl 81 – 60 — (3 @ Mil 69 – 71, Off Day, 3 vs. Was 86 – 54)
WC2. StL 75 – 65 — (3 @ SD 66 – 75, 4 @ LA [NL] 74 – 67)
3. LA 74 – 67 2 (Off Day, 2 @ AZ 69 – 72, 4 vs. Stl 75 – 65)
3. Pit 72 – 67 2 (3 @ Cin 82 – 53, Off Day, 3 @ Chi [NL] 54 – 86)
5. Mil 69 – 71 6 (3 vs. Atl 81 – 60, Off Day, 3 vs NY [NL] 65 – 75)
7. Phi 69 – 71 6 (3 vs. Mia 63 – 78, 4 @ Hou 44 – 96)
6. AZ 69 – 72 7 (Off Day, 2 vs. LA [NL] 74 – 67, Off Day, 3 vs. SF 79 – 61)
Photo Credits: TampaBay.com
