The MLB postseason is almost here, putting tremendous amounts of pressure on teams yet to secure a playoff spot. The pressure is even greater for those currently embroiled in the Wild Card race. Take for example the American League. The Houston Astros hold a fragile three-game lead of the second Wild Card spot against the Minnesota Twins. A losing streak or a slip up moving forward will be devastating for the Astros’ playoff chances.
It’s time for some big-time baseball action this Tuesday night. Check two best baseball games on the docket tonight in the Yankees vs. Blue Jays and Angels vs. Astros featuring two of the AL’s Wild Card contenders.
[sc:MLBArticles ]
American League and National League Wild Card Race Preview
American League
New York Yankees (82-67)
[sc:MLB240banner ]With Monday night’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees dropped to 3.5 games behind the AL East lead. Thankfully, they own a three game lead for the first AL Wild Card spot over Houston.
The Yankees could still win their division if they take the remaining two games of their series at Toronto as well as go on a run with four-game sets each against the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, two of the bottom five teams of the AL. In contrast, the Blue Jays end their season with a seven-game road trip.
Houston Astros (80-71)
The Houston Astros aren’t going to give up on the race for the AL West title. They sit just one game behind division leaders, the Texas Rangers. The Astros have a shot to strengthen their bid for one of the two Wild Card slots, or even win their division. It all falls in a crucial three-game home stand against Texas.
The three game series against the Rangers concludes with a start by ace Dallas Keuchel. The Astros have won all of Keuchel’s last 10 starts. But it is interesting to note that Keuchel was hammered for nine earned runs in just 4.2 innings in his last appearance against the Rangers, albeit that loss came on the road.
Minnesota Twins (76-73)
The Minnesota Twins did themselves no good, losing five of their last six games. But they’re just three games behind for the second Wild Card spot currently held by Houston. The Twins face tough road games against Cleveland and Detroit on the horizon.
Considering they’re a combined 3-7 in each of their last five road games against Cleveland and Detroit, then Minnesota’s playoff hopes may lie in a three-game home stand against AL Central leader Kansas City to close off the season.
Los Angeles Angels (76-74)
The Los Angeles Angels have a shot of clinching a Wild Card spot. They’re 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot and have a six-game home stand against AL West cellar dwellers, Seattle and Oakland.
A season-ending road trip to Texas may even do the Angels some favors. Los Angeles has won its last six road games against the division leaders. Having Mike Trout in form should also give the Angels a boost. Trout is batting .269 with four homers and eight RBIs over the past seven days.
National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (90-60)
It’s gotta be difficult playing in NL Central. The Pittsburgh Pirates would lead any other division in the majors with their sparkling 90-60 record. Instead, they have to settle playing second fiddle to the 94=56 St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates do, however, hold a virtual lock of one of the NL’s Wild Card spots. The Pirates have a two-game lead over second-place Chicago.
Chicago Cubs (88-62)
Like the Pirates, the Chicago Cubs would be division leaders anywhere other than NL Central. The Cubs aren’t out of the NL Central lead yet being just six games behind the Cards. More realistically, the Cubs stand a better chance of hosting the Wild Card game against Pittsburgh. Chicago has won its last three games against the Pirates with a crucial three-game series yet to come at Wrigley Field.
It’s going to be difficult to stop the Cubs’ rookie slugger Kris Bryant at home. He’s hitting .303 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs at home this season. The Cubs also have a pair of aces up their sleeves in Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. Of the two, Arrieta seems to be red-hot as the Cubs have his last 10 starts.
San Francisco Giants (78-71)
It’s not an even number’d year, that’s why the San Francisco Giants are struggling to even contend for a Wild Card spot. The defending World Series champs are 9.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card race with just 13 games left. San Francisco’s best chance of getting a postseason spot would be to upend the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of NL West.
The Dodgers’ magic number to take NL West remains at seven. The Dodgers are currently struggling, having lost four of their last six games. It’s a long shot, but the Giants could swoop in and steal the division with a crucial four-game home series against their divisional rivals. San Francisco has won its last six home games against the Dodgers.
Washington Nationals (78-71)
It’s been a disappointing season for the Washington Nationals, who sit 6.5 games behind the New York Mets for the NL East lead. Taking the division may be the Nats’ only shot of making the postseason as they’re 9.5 games behind the second Wild Card spot with 13 games remaining.
The Nationals could storm back into the NL East race if they could get a streak going with three home games against Philadelphia and three road games against Atlanta, two of the division’s cellar dwellers. Should Washington get into striking distance against the Mets, then a three-game, season-ending series at Citi Field would be crucial. The Nats were swept in their last three-game series at New York.
