Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge going for history as AL playoff picture continues to form
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques breaks down the storylines to watch in the AL as the MLB seasons winds down.
Sports Pulse
Nearing the final week of the regular season, some of Major League Baseball’s playoff races have gotten unexpectedly tight to set up a wild finish.
The Cleveland Guardians were 11 games behind the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 4 but slashed that to 3 ½ entering play on Friday, Sept. 19 with a seven-game winning streak.
As the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros battle for first place in the AL West – and wild-card seeding – the Boston Red Sox have dropped a spot and must now fight off the Guardians.
In the NL wild-card chase, the New York Mets just won a crucial series against the Padres, denting San Diego’s hopes of running down the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Here’s a look at the latest MLB standings:
Entering play on Friday, Sept. 19MLB playoff bracket if season ended todayAmerican LeagueByes: Blue Jays, TigersAL wild card seriesMariners at YankeesRed Sox at AstrosNational LeagueByes: Brewers, PhilliesNL wild card seriesMets at DodgersPadres at CubsAL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (86-67): +3 gamesSeattle Mariners (84-69) // Houston Astros (84-69): + 1 games – AL West tiebreaker decided by weekend seriesBoston Red Sox (83-70)Cleveland Guardians (81-71): 1.5 games backTexas Rangers (79-74): 4.5 GBKansas City Royals (76-77): 7 GBNL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (88-65): +9 gamesSan Diego Padres (83-70): +4 gamesNew York Mets (79–74)Arizona Diamondbacks (77-76): 2 GBCincinnati Reds (77-76): 2 GBSan Francisco Giants (76-77): 3 GBSt. Louis Cardinals (74-79): 5 GBAL EastToronto Blue Jays (89-64)New York Yankees (86-67): 3 games backBoston Red Sox (83-70): 6 GBAL CentralDetroit Tigers (85-68)Cleveland Guardians (81-71): 3.5 GBKansas City Royals (76-77): 9 GBAL WestHouston Astros (84-69) – tiebreaker vs. Mariners will be decided by weekend seriesSeattle Mariners (84-69)Texas Rangers (79-74): 5 GBNL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (91-62) – clinched NL East title on Sept. 15NL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (94-59) – clinched playoff berthChicago Cubs (88-65): 6 GB – clinched playoff berthNL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (86-67)San Diego Padres (83-70): 3 GB
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