Get ready for a wild finish in the American League. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles are locked in a tight battle for the two wild-card spots in the American League. The main question now is: who among these wild-card hopefuls will grab the edge in this frantic race to the postseason?
Read on below as we break down this exciting 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
New York Yankees (62-51)
World Series Odds: +1,200
What in the world has happened to the New York Yankees? The 27-time world champions are in the midst of a terrible slump, losing nine of their last 14 games. As a result of their poor form, the Yankees are now half a game behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East lead. The good news for the Bronx Bombers is that they are still in line to end their postseason drought this year.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Yankees currently hold the first American League wild card spot with a 62-51 record. For the Yankees to solidify their grip on that postseason berth, they will need to wake up from their offensive slumber. During their recent five-game losing streak, the Yankees scored a total of just six runs. The onus is on Alex Rodriguez to rediscover his early-season form. Since turning 40 on July 27, Rodriguez has not hit a single home run. He is 12-of-51 with four RBIs during that stretch.
Los Angeles Angels (60-54)
World Series Odds: +1,500
Another team that is in the midst of a major tailspin right now is The Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have lost 14 of their last 20 games as they dropped down to 60-54 in the team standings. The Angels are now two games behind the Houston Astros for the top spot in the AL West division. That being said, they can take heart in the fact that they are still on course for a postseason berth this year. They are two games clear of the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wild card spot in the American League.
For the Angels to solidify their playoff chances, they need Mike Trout to start heating up once again. Since returning from a wrist injury, Trout’s hitting just 10-of-51 (.196) with two homers and five RBIs. Trout leads the Angels in homers (33), RBIs (69), hits (123), walks (56) and on-base percentage (.393) this season.
Tampa Bay Rays (58-56)
World Series Odds: +8,000
One team who’s peaking at exactly the right time is the Tampa Bay Rays. They are one of the hottest teams in the majors right now, having won all of their last four games. They are now just two games behind the Angels for the final wild card spot in the American League. Playing a key role in the Rays’ resurgence is right fielder Grady Sizemore. He’s 6-of-19 in the Rays’ last five games with three homers and four RBIs.
The Rays’ wild-card chances will largely hinge, though, on their performance in their upcoming 10-game road trip. The Rays will face the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and the Oakland Athletics in this daunting stretch. As it stands, the Rays have a 31.8% chance of reaching the postseason and a 27.9% chance of winning the American League Wild Card.
Baltimore Orioles (57-56)
World Series Odds: +5,000
Baltimore’s push for a wild-card spot is slowly losing steam after absorbing another frustrating setback on Wednesday. The Orioles suffered a gut-wrenching 3-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners, their fourth defeat in the last six games. The Orioles are now 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the final wild card spot in the American League.
For the Orioles to stay afloat in the playoff chase, they need Chris Davis to maintain his red-hot form. Davis has been exceptional for the Orioles in the second half, drilling 12 of his 31 homers in the last 25 games. His .281 isolated slugging percentage ranks fifth in the entire majors behind only Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Nelson Cruz, and Mark Teixeira. As it currently stands, the O’s have a 15.2 % chance of winning the AL Wild Card this year.
Create a betting account now and cash in on the MLB Futures.
[sc:MLB490banner ]
