With 11 games to play, the American League Wild Card race is coming down to the wire. Cleveland is on the brink of clinching the Central division while the White Sox continue their poorly timed losing skid.
The AL East continues to entertain as always, with the Rays hosting the Blue Jays at the Trop as the two battle for the top Wild Card spot in the AL while currently both deadlocked at 84-67. Continuing their success against Toronto is Tampa Bay this season, taking 10 of 17 thus far against the Blue Birds. With two games left in the series, tonight and tomorrow will prove to be pivotal in deciding the make up of the Wild Card standings.
Another exciting story out of the AL East is the Baltimore Orioles who are currently on a 3 game winning streak and making a very late push for the 3rd and final Wild Card berth. Doing so would make them the 4th AL East team of 6 possible playoff positions in the American League. Currently holding that position is the Seattle Mariners, who have struggled of late dropping 7 of their last 10 to weaker opponents. After their series with the Royals in Kansas City, the Mariners then play the Rangers, Athletics, and Tigers all of whom are 20 or more below .500.
Baltimore on the other hand has their work cut out for them, finishing their series with the West division leading Astros, then ending the season in the division with the Red Sox, Yankees, then Jays.
(Photo: Gregor Chisholm/The Star)
[…] It hasn’t been long since Blue Jays fans have had a beloved ace sporting the sacred number 6 on their back. No shade intended towards Marcus Stroman but we’ve never had one quite like this. Alek Manoah has developed into the true opening day starter the Toronto Blue Jays have been looking for since the departure of Robbie Ray. And while much of the rest of the rotation has either been plagued by injury or underperformed, Manoah has been a staple in Toronto’s ability to remain in the wild card race. […]