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 and Orioles both continue to play hot baseball as the two teams lost a combined three games since the last update. Tampa Bay has fallen off the pace and will not contend for the east.
1. NY 89 – 64 — (2 @ Min 64 – 90, 4 @ Tor 67 – 86)
2. Bal 88 – 66 2 (2 vs. Tor 67 – 86, Off Day, 3 vs. Bos 69 – 85)
AL Central
Just when you think the White Sox finally have a handle on things the Tigers come roaring back. This will come down to the final series of the season
1. Chi 82 – 71 — (2 vs. Cle 63 – 91, 4 vs. TB 83 – 70)
2. Det 81 – 72 1 (3 vs. KC 70 – 83, 3 @ Min 64 – 90)
AL West
All the Rangers have to do is play .500 ball to clinch the west but they do start a huge 3-game set with the A’s starting tonight before facing the Angels who are fighting for a wild card spot.
1. Tex 91 – 62 — (3 vs. Oak 86 – 67, 3 vs. LA [AL] 84 – 69) Magic Number: 5
2. Oak 86 – 67 5 (3 @ Tex 91 – 62, 3 vs. Sea 72 – 81)
NL East
Both teams have made the playoffs and like the Rangers, all the Nats have to do is play .500 ball to lock up the division. Both teams will clinch playoff spots.
1. Was 93 – 60 — (3 @ Phi 77 – 76, 3 @ StL 83 – 71) Magic Number: 5
2. Atl 88 – 65 5 (3 vs. Mia 66 – 87, 3 vs. NY [NL] 70 – 83)
NL Central
1. Cin 92 – 61 Clinched NL Central – 1 game behind Washington for best record in baseball and home field throughout playoffs.
NL West
The Giants are in cruise control and should take the NL West. The Dodgers have some work to do if they want to make the postseason as a wild card.
1. SF 89 – 64 Clinched NL West – will be the #3 seed in the playoffs and will face either Washington or Cincinnati.
AL Wild Card
The AL WC picture still is a 5-man race with Detroit barely hanging to life.
WC1. Bal 88 – 66 — (2 vs. Tor 67 – 86, Off Day, 3 vs. Bos 69 – 85)
WC2. Oak 86 – 67 — (3 @ Tex 91 – 62, 3 vs. Sea 72 – 81)
2. LA 84 – 69 2 (3 vs. Sea 72 – 81, 3 @ Tex 91 – 62)
3. TB 83 – 70 3 (2 @ Bos 69 – 85. 4 @ Chi [AL] 82 – 71)
4. Det 81 – 72 5 (3 vs. KC 70 – 83, 3 @ Min 64 – 90)
NL Wild Card
The Braves will be in the postseason, most likely as the #1 wild card. As for the second, it’s pretty much a 3-team race for the spot. Philly and Arizona need to make up ground quick to have a shot.
WC1. Atl 88 – 65 — (3 vs. Mia 66 – 87, 3 vs. NY [NL] 70 – 83)
WC2. StL 83 – 71 — (2 @ Hou 50 – 104, Off Day, 3 @ Was 93 – 60)
2. LA 79 – 74 3 (3 @ SD 73 – 80, 3 vs. Col 59 – 94)
2. Mil 79 – 74 3 (3 @ Cin 92 – 61, 3 vs. Hou 50 – 104)
4. Phi 77 – 76 5 (3 vs. Was 93 – 60, 3 @ Mia 66 – 87)
4. AZ 77 – 76 5 (3 @ SF 89 – 64, 3 vs. Chi [NL] 59 – 94)
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