ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF
With two weeks left before the end of the MLB regular season, the playoff races for the American League are almost all locked up, but it’s still a wildfire in the National League.
The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have already clinched their playoff birth, but there are still a few teams in the race for the American League.
As for the National League, things are all over the place with the Chicago Cubs leading the way with 87 wins. However, there are still 8 teams all fighting for those 5 playoff spots.
Let’s take a look at the playoff race starting with the two teams who have already made it from the American League.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have already won 103 games this season and look to continue to add to the win column with the remaining twelve games of the season. There have been only six teams in baseball history to win 110 games in a season, the Seattle Mainers last did it in 2001, and the Sox look poised to join the club this year.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1041703500495970305
The Sox are just one win away from clinching the American League East and could get it done as early as tomorrow.
Next game: Septmeber 18th – At NYY.
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland has been needing something positive to talk about the departure of Lebron James. The Indians have filled that role by bringing back the excitement of playoff baseball back to Cleveland for another year.
Members of the #Indians celebrate in the locker room with various adult beverages after clinching the American League Central Division and a spot in the MLB playoffs on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/AHi0FRzT8a
— DavidDermerPix (@DavidDermerPix) September 16, 2018
One of the big questions involving the Indians is pitcher Shane Bieber, Bieber has incredible numbers throughout Double-A and Triple-A but will Bieber be on the postseason roster as a starter, or a multi-inning reliever.
Next game: September 18th- vs. CWS
Almost In
There are three teams almost guaranteed to find their way to the dance but still have some work to be done. The Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics all currently sit with a 99.9% chance of getting into the playoffs.
What is holding them back?
The Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners, although they only have a 0.1% chance of making it, are still in the fight and with twelve games left anything could happen.
The National League is a Barn Burner
The race for the NL is a tight one. Overall, the Cubs are the favorite to take the NL’s place in the World Series. However, with teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers all coming into their own things could change quickly.
Currently, there are eight teams all with the possibility of entering the post-season.
Things to watch
- Who wins the NL West? The Rockies are a half-game up on the Dodgers (one in the loss column). But guess what? They start the week with a three-game series in LA. The Dodgers lead the season series 9-7 and have outscored the Rockies 82-63.
- Heating up in the Central: The St. Louis Cardinals are in the middle of the wild-card race, so their final series at Wrigley (Chicago) could have a lot of meaning for them.
- Drawing the wild card: The Dodgers and Cardinals are both tied for the second wildcard behind the Brewers.
https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1041496139147694080
Stayin Alive
Both teams are still keeping their wild card dreams alive but will have an uphill battle to get there.
