We’re only months away from the start of the MLB postseason and action is definitely picking up in the race for those crucial playoff spots. The introduction of the second wild card has definitely ratcheted up the intensity, especially in the tightly-contested American League. As it stands, six AL teams are within five games of that final postseason spot.
Read on below as we breakdown the top four contenders in the American League Wild Card race. While you’re at it, you can also check out our National League Wild Card preview.
[sc:MLBArticles ]2015 AL Wild Card Race Preview
Los Angeles Angels (57-50)
World Series Odds: +1,500
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Los Angeles Angels are surely feeling the heat right now. The 2002 champions are in the midst of a horrific slump, losing 10 of their last 13 games. As a result of their poor form, the Angels are now two games behind the Houston Astros in the race for the AL West crown. The good news for the struggling Angels is that they are still in line to grab a postseason berth this season.
They are currently in the first wild card spot in the American League with their 57-50 record. For the Angels to tighten their grip on that postseason spot, they need Albert Pujols and Mike Trout to deliver down the stretch. Pujols has 30 home runs this season, but has recorded just one homer in his last 14 outings. In this 14-game slump, Pujols has scored just four runs with a disappointing .241 batting average. Trout, on the other hand, has struggled since returning from a wrist injury. He had hit for just 4-of-27 (.148) in his last seven games.
Toronto Blue Jays (58-52)
World Series Odds: +1,400
One team who’s peaking at exactly the right time is the Toronto Blue Jays. They are one of the hottest teams in the majors right now, having won all of their last five games. Playing a key role in the Blue Jays’ resurgence is the red-hot Troy Tulowitzki. He’s batting .286/.412/.571 with two homers and five RBIs in his first eight games with Toronto.
It’s incredible to think that on July 28, the Blue Jays were three games back of a wild card spot in the American League, behind the Twins, Rays, Orioles, and the then-tied Astros and Angels, who were six games up on Toronto. Fast forward to today and the Jays are now just half a game back of Los Angeles for the top wild card spot. With David Price solidifying their rotation as well, the sky’s the limit for the Jays who are looking for their first postseason appearance in 22 years. As it stands, the Blue Jays have a 21.3% chance of winning the AL East and a 47.1% chance of winning the American League Wild Card.
Baltimore Orioles (55-52)
World Series Odds: +5,000
Another team who’s also picking up some steam in the second half of the season is the Baltimore Orioles. They are 8-3 in their last 11 games as they have climbed from 5.5 games back of the second wild-card spot to just one game behind. The O’s can make up that deficit in no time as they will still play the Blue Jays seven more times this season.
It’s important to remember as well that this is the same Orioles team that won 96 games last year. They may not reach that mark this season, but they definitely have a fighter’s chance of reaching the postseason via the wild card this season. As it currently stands, the O’s have a 24.1% chance of winning the AL Wild Card this year.
Texas Rangers (54-53)
World Series Odds: +5,000
Confidence is running high with the Rangers at the moment after their devastating three-game sweep of the Houston Astros this past week. The Rangers have now won four in a row and seven of eight, moving within five games of the AL West lead. That’s the closest the Rangers have gotten since June 30. Key to the Rangers’ resurgence has been their incredible offense. Texas scored a whopping 54 runs during its recent 10-game homestand. The Rangers are sixth in the majors in runs scored with 477 this season so far.
More importantly for the Rangers, they are now just 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the second wild card spot in the American League. As we speak, the Rangers’ chances of winning the wild card currently stand at 12.8%.
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