It's such an odd chase this season. In the National League, the Brewers (who are keeping pace with the Cubs) are third in the hunt, 5.5 games out of a wild card spot spot behind the D'backs and Rockies.
But that 5.5 games is how far the Tigers are out of a spot in the AL -- and Detroit is 10th in the race.
As I type this, the Royals and Mariners are about to start an important second game of their doubleheader. If Seattle wins, they'll be ties with the Rays for the second spot behind the Yankees.
So, our task at the moment is to determine who is a contender and who is a pretender for the WC game. As we start this thread, this by definition does not include the division-leading Red Sox, Indians and Astros.
Front-runners
Yankees 59-51
Rays 58-55
Royals 56-53
Mariners 57-55
What are these guys doing here?
Orioles 55-56
Angels 55-56
Barely breathing
Rangers 53-57
Twins 52-56
Reputation only
Blue Jays 52-59
Tigers 51-59
If any of the bottom four teams here is capable of putting something together, I'd say it was the Blue Jays -- although losses like Sunday's 7-6 defeat in Houston, on a two-out, three-run rally by the Astros, don't help.
The Twins are fading, the Tigers are showing their age and the Rangers just weren't able to put something together this year.
The Orioles and Angels are just mysteries to me. Baltimore has been playing well, and they have guys who have been there before. But their pitching is a mess. And I have no idea what the Trouts are at this stage.
I think the Rays are the thinnest team in the top tier. If luck goes their way, they could survive. The Royals have games in-hand over the others -- and play in the weakest division -- but Salvador Perez's injury could be a crushing blow if it lingers too long. That leaves the Mariners, who are flying under the radar. If I had to pick, I'd pick Seattle to survive this race.
The Yankees/Red Sox division-loser is a lock.
But that 5.5 games is how far the Tigers are out of a spot in the AL -- and Detroit is 10th in the race.
As I type this, the Royals and Mariners are about to start an important second game of their doubleheader. If Seattle wins, they'll be ties with the Rays for the second spot behind the Yankees.
So, our task at the moment is to determine who is a contender and who is a pretender for the WC game. As we start this thread, this by definition does not include the division-leading Red Sox, Indians and Astros.
Front-runners
Yankees 59-51
Rays 58-55
Royals 56-53
Mariners 57-55
What are these guys doing here?
Orioles 55-56
Angels 55-56
Barely breathing
Rangers 53-57
Twins 52-56
Reputation only
Blue Jays 52-59
Tigers 51-59
If any of the bottom four teams here is capable of putting something together, I'd say it was the Blue Jays -- although losses like Sunday's 7-6 defeat in Houston, on a two-out, three-run rally by the Astros, don't help.
The Twins are fading, the Tigers are showing their age and the Rangers just weren't able to put something together this year.
The Orioles and Angels are just mysteries to me. Baltimore has been playing well, and they have guys who have been there before. But their pitching is a mess. And I have no idea what the Trouts are at this stage.
I think the Rays are the thinnest team in the top tier. If luck goes their way, they could survive. The Royals have games in-hand over the others -- and play in the weakest division -- but Salvador Perez's injury could be a crushing blow if it lingers too long. That leaves the Mariners, who are flying under the radar. If I had to pick, I'd pick Seattle to survive this race.
The Yankees/Red Sox division-loser is a lock.