How the (AL) West Was Won and Where It Got Us

[Yelling At Clouds]

If you've been following the MLB thread lately - or, you know, baseball generally - then you probably already know that the AL West is the most interesting playoff chase right now. You probably also know that after having spent most of the season comfortably in first place, the Rangers fell into a tie for second yesterday. And you probably also also know that the Mariners have come back from being 10 games out to now lead the division. Plus the Astros, who, in addition to being the defending champions and reuniting with Justin Verlander, have one of the easiest remaining schedules in all of MLB, are only a game out. The other wrinkle, too, is that Toronto - and, yes, Boston - are still close enough that these three teams aren't all guaranteed to make the tournament, even with the expanded field.

Even though it's all over the monthly megathread, I figured this would be a convenient place to track that race. Tonight Houston gets Boston (you definitely knew this), Seattle gets Oakland, and Texas gets the Mets. Should be fun!

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

I have no comment other than to commend you on the thread title- great REM song from my favorite album of theirs.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

I feel like almost all of the threads I start come about because I have an idea for a thread title, so I appreciate that! (It's #4 for me, but that's no slight.)

Anyway, Mets are up 3-1, although the Rangers are threatening in the 8th...

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Rangers are showing some life, here, they came back to beat the Mets yesterday and they're up again today.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

The Julio-less Mariners are down early to the As, would be their second-straight loss to them at an inconvenient time.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Mariners win, Rangers lose on a walk-off HBP in extras, so they're alone in third now

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

Texas goes 3-6 on their road trip with 6 blown saves.

 

[jon abbey]

Texas goes 3-6 on their road trip with 6 blown saves.

You hate to see that happen to such a nice guy like Aroldis Chapman.

 

[Yelling At Clouds]

Pretty good duel between Senga and Gilbert, both have allowed a solo HR. 1-1 in the 6th.

Meanwhile, you probably know about what's happening in the Astros game, but, yeah, they're down 3-0, Jasson Dominguez homered off Verlander in his first MLB at-bat.