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
Baltimore took two of three from the Yankees over the weekend to close the gap in the East. New York had a seven-game lead at the start of August but the Orioles won’t go away.
1. NY 76 – 57 — (3 @ TB 73 – 61, 4 @. Bal 74 – 59)
2. Bal 74 – 59 2 (3 @ Tor 60 – 73, 4 vs. NY [AL] 76 – 57)
3. TB 73 – 61 4 (3 vs. NY [AL] 76 – 57, Off Day, 3 vs. Tex 79 – 54)
AL Central
The White Sox came into Detroit over the weekend with a three-game lead and left tied atop the standings.
1. Chi 72 – 61 — (3 vs. Min 55 – 79, Off Day, 3 vs. KC 60 – 73)
2. Det 72 – 61 — (3 vs. Cle KC 56 – 78, Off Day, 3 @ LA [AL] 71 – 63)
AL West
The Angels have lost some ground on the West-leading Rangers since Aug. 1, while Oakland has cut into the Rangers lead by going 7-0 last week.
1. Tex 79 – 54 — (4 @ KC 60 – 73, 3 @ TB 73 – 61)
2. Oak 76 – 57 3 (3 vs. LA [AL] 71 – 63, Off Day, 3 @ Sea 65 – 70)
3. LA 71 – 63 9 (3 @ Oak 76 – 57, Off Day, 3 vs. Det 72 – 61)
NL East
Washington regained their solid lead over the Braves with a good four-game series victory over the Cardinals while the Braves lost four of six.
1. Was 81 – 52 — (4 vs. Chi [NL] 51 – 82, 3 vs. Mia 59 – 75)
2. Atl 75 – 59 7 (4 vs. Col 55 – 77, 3 vs. NY [NL] 64 – 70)
NL Central
The Reds can start thinking about the magic number as they hold a commanding lead over the Cardinals and Pirates. For the other two teams, it’s time to be thinking about the wild card.
1. Cin 82 – 53 — (3 vs. Phi 64 – 70, Off Day, 3 vs. Hou 41 – 93)
2. StL 72 – 62 9 (3 vs. NY [NL] 64 – 70, Off Day, 3 vs. Mil 65 – 68)
3. Pit 70 – 63 10 (3 vs. Hou 41 – 93, Off Day, 3 vs. Chi [NL] 51 – 82)
NL West
The Dodgers blockbuster move hasn’t helped them in the race for the West as they lost ground on the Giants.
1. SF 76 – 58 — (3 vs. AZ 66 – 69, Off Day, 3 vs. LA [NL] 72 – 63)
2. LA 72 – 63 5 (3 vs. SD 62 – 73, Off Day, 3 @ SF 76 – 58)
AL Wild Card
The AL WC lost two teams over the last week from the picture (Sea and Bos) but there are still six teams fighting for the two spots. (With Det and Chi fighting for the division as well)
WC1. Oak 76 – 57 — (3 vs. LA [AL] 71 – 63, Off Day, 3 @ Sea 65 – 70)
WC2. Bal 74 – 59 — (3 @ Tor 60 – 73 , 4 vs. NY [AL] 76 – 57)
2. TB 73 – 61 2 (3 vs. NY [AL] 76 – 57, Off Day, 3 vs. Tex 79 – 54)
3. Det/Chi 72 – 61 2 (See AL Central)
4. LA 71 – 63 4 (3 @ Oak 76 – 57, Off Day, 3 vs. Det 72 – 61)
NL Wild Card
The NL still has 8 teams within 8 games of the Wild Card spots. (I’m putting the Phillies and Mets on this list because, as you can see from last year’s WC races, a deficit like this can be overcome.) The Buccos took 2 of 3 from the Cardinals but then allowed the Brewers back into the race by being swept out of Milwaukee. Their next six games are against the Astros and Cubs.
WC1. Atl 75 – 59 — (4 vs. Col 55 – 77, 3 vs. NY [NL] 64 – 70)
WC2. StL 72 – 62 — (3 vs. NY [NL] 64 – 70, Off Day, 3 vs. Mil 65 – 68)
3. LA 72 – 63 1 (3 vs. SD 62 – 73, Off Day, 3 @ SF 76 – 58)
3. Pit 70 – 63 1 (3 vs. Hou 41 – 93, Off Day, 3 vs. Chi [NL] 51 – 82)
5. Mil 65 – 68 6 (4 @ Mia 59 – 75, 3 @ StL 72 – 62)
6. AZ 66 – 69 7 (3 @ SF 76 – 58, Off Day, 3 @ SD 62 – 73)
7. Phi 64 – 70 8 (3 @ Cin 82-53, Off Day, 3 @ Col 55-77)
7. NY 64 – 70 8 (3 @ StL 72 – 62, Off Day, 3 vs. Atl 75 – 59)
Photo Credits: News Observer
