Playoff race scenarios: Cards vs. Pirates battle
We’re now left with just seven days in the 2015 MLB regular season. We know the five NL playoff teams and two AL playoff teams, but there are still several races yet to be decided. Let’s take a quick look around the league at where things stand.
AL East
The Blue Jays have a 4 1/2-game lead with a magic number of four over the Yankees. The Jays have a seven-game road trip to close the season, starting Monday in Baltimore. The Yankees have a four-game series at home against the Red Sox starting Monday.
AL Central
The Royals have clinched.
AL West
The Rangers have a 2 1/2-game lead over the Astros while the Angels trail by only three. The magic number over both teams is five, so this one could get fun. The Rangers host a three-game series against the Tigers starting Monday while the Astros head to Seattle for a road trip to close the season. The Angels host the A’s for a three-game series beginning Monday.
AL wild card
The Yankees are up 4 1/2 games here, so the chances they don’t land the top spot are very slim. They can clinch a postseason spot Monday with a little bit of help:
#Yankees can clinch #postseason berth tonight if they beat Red Sox AND either A’s beat Angels OR Mariners beat Astros.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 28, 2015
As for the second spot, it’s close and crowded. The Astros hold a 1/2-game lead over the Angels while the Twins are only 1 1/2 out. The Indians are four out, so they are a longshot. Of course, they host the Twins for a four-game series beginning Monday. A sweep with some outside help and it’s possible.
NL East
The Mets have clinched.
NL Central
Now the fun starts. The Cardinals have a three-game lead over the Pirates with the two clubs starting a three-game series on Monday in Pittsburgh. Do the Pirates need to sweep in order to have a shot at the division? Probably. The Cardinals close the season with three games against the Braves.
The Pirates and Cardinals are set to do battle. (USATSI)
NL West
Another good head-to-head matchup here, the Giants host the Dodgers for a four-game series starting Monday. The Dodgers have a six-game lead and their magic number is two, though, meaning the Giants have to sweep the series or they’ll be eliminated. Yes, one Dodgers win clinches the NL West.
NL wild card
The Cubs are locked in while the Pirates or Cardinals — whoever doesn’t win the Central — will be their opponent.
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