Tigers lead the AL Central, for now
The final days of the regular season have arrived, and though it will be a challenge to see a duplication of last year’s season-ending drama, there are once again some interesting division and wild card races.
Here is a look at what’s at stake in the American League (be sure to read the separate National League article on Baseball News Source.
The 91-67 Yankees have a game on Sunday at Toronto followed by a three-game series against the Red Sox at Yankees Stadium to finish the regular season.
The 90-67 Orioles host the Red Sox tonight and on Sunday before concluding their regular season schedule with a three-game set at Tampa Bay. it will be an important series for both teams as the Rays are clinging to their remote post-season hopes.
With a win this afternoon against the White Sox and a loss by Oakland, Tampa Bay can climb within two games of the A’s for the second wild card spot.
As for the reeling White Sox, they entered Saturday afternoon’s contest with Tampa Bay one game behind Detroit in the American League Central. The Tigers play Minnesota this afternoon. The winner of the AL Central will live into the postseason. The second place finisher will be eliminated since neither team is in contention for a wild card spot.
The White Sox finish the season with three games at Cleveland while the Tigers have a three-game set at Kansas City.
In the American League East, Oakland still has a chance to catch Texas. The Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels today and Sunday before ending the regular season with three games at Oakland. The A’s play Seattle today and Sunday.
As for the Angels, which entered Saturday two games behind Oakland for the second wild card spot, they face Texas today and Sunday before ending the regular season with a three-game series at Seattle.
In the final week, all three division races are still in question, as are the two wild card candidates. It’s a recipe for a post-season feeling even before the October playoff magic arrives.
