The All-Star Break is here, and the best players in the game are getting to Seattle for a relaxing All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Then, when the second half gets going, the race will be on for the pennant in all six divisions. We will see six division winners in both the National League and American League and then six more wildcards between the two leagues. Then, 12 teams will reach the postseason in a quest for the October Classic. Let’s take a look at the updated playoff picture as the All-Star Break is here for the American League:
Rays Lead in East Slimming
The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in all of the American League and would hold the top seed, but not by much. The Rays have struggled the last few weeks and, at 58-35, have just a two-game lead on Baltimore for that spot. The Blue Jays and Yankees, along with the Red Sox, are 7,8,9 games out, respectively, so neither is out of it yet and all right in the race for a wildcard spot. Can the Rays start playing better baseball? If not, it could be a long, hot summer in Tampa after their blazing start.
Guardians and Twins Battle over Average
This has been a struggle, and a struggle all season. The Cleveland Guardians are winning the division by default. At 45-45, they are the best of a terrible division. Once again, this is a one-team in the postseason division. The Twins are 45-46 and just ½ game back. Which team can play consistent baseball and be able to host a team in the first round of the postseason? It probably does not matter if it was the Guardians or Twins; as the 3 seed, they would likely be underdogs despite being at home in a series. The Tigers sit just 5.5 games out, while Chicago and Kansas City look like dead dogs.
Texas Race Heating Up
Some interesting baseball is being played in Texas. The Texas Rangers have been the team everyone has had their eyes on. With five All-Star starters for the game Tuesday, they are the divisional leaders. But the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros are just 2 games back. While the Rangers are a mash unit on offense, can the pitching they are getting continue through the second half of the season? Currently, the Astros are tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2nd wildcard. Both wildcard 2 and wildcard 3 would play a playoff series on the road, but this may be the time when you want wildcard 3, which would get the American League Central winner, as opposed to someone like Baltimore, or even Tampa Bay, if they falter.
If the postseason started today, this would be the matchups:
- Toronto Blue Jays / Houston Astros (WC 3) vs. 3. Cleveland Guardians (AL Central)
- Houston Astros / Toronto Blue Jays (WC 2) vs. 4. Baltimore Orioles (WC 1)
- Texas Rangers (AL West)
- Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)
We expect a wild second half of the season. That’s the current look at the American League playoff picture.
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