Update on Playoff Races

American League Playoff Race

It has been 16 days since my post on my playoff picture prediction. Let's see how I'm doing:

Changes since Sept 1st

• Texas has swapped spots with Houston and has taken control of the AL West by a game and a half
• Cleveland, Baltimore, and Seattle have all passed Tampa Bay in the race for the 2nd Wild Card spot
• Toronto has maintained the lead of the AL East over New York

How I Predicted the Season Would End

• Toronto wins East, KC wins Central, Houston wins West
• New York and Cleveland win the 1st and 2nd Wild Card spots

So far, I am correct with the AL East and Central division leaders, and also the 1st Wild Card spot. Although I am not correct in my prediction for the AL West leader and 2nd Wild Card spot, there are still plenty of games left in the season.

"Cleveland’s second-half ERA of 3.73 is the third-best in the American League, and the Indians are 23-13 since Aug. 7." - Buster Onley

Cleveland is my bold pick to win the 2nd Wild Card spot. The Indians were 10 games under .500 and 3rd to last in the AL on August 7th. They were counted out of contention. Now they are 3rd in the race for the 2nd Wild Card spot with a .500 record (entering tonight). They need to keep playing strong, taking game by day and winning series if they want to stay alive and move up in the race. So basically Indians, keep playing good baseball. The Tribe have made an intriguing case of showing life and being a true darkhorse in race for an AL Wild Card spot.

Houston, we have a problem! The 'stros are on a 4 game losing streak, are 2-8 in their last 10 games, and lost their lead in the AL West. I hate to see this team not win the division. From usual last to first. However, the Rangers have caught fire. Texas has great potential to finish the regular season out hot. Coming off a sweep against the Astros, they now play Seattle, then Oakland, Houston again, Detroit, then the Los Angeles Angels. It will be key for Houston to fix their problem and capitalize in their final match-up against Texas, which is a 3 game series they are hosting. 


The National League Playoff Race

The National League race is pretty much figured out. 

• Mets up by 8 games over Nats
• Cardinals up by 5 games over Pirates
• Dodgers lead Giants by 7.5 games
• Pirates have 1st Wild Card spot & Cubs have 2nd Wild Card spot
• PIT 2 games up on Cubs for 1st Wild Card

I predicted the Giants to make a run at the NL West division lead, but they hit a cold spell a couple of days after my post, and are seemingly out of contention. I did not jinx them, it was a total coincidence.