MLB Standings Watch: Reasons to keep watching Red Sox
By Sean Penney
Aug 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Blue Jays defeat the Rangers 12-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
AL East Standings
(Division standings as of Wednesday morning)
Playoff Outlook
(Division leaders and teams holding a Wild Card spot in the American League)
AL East: Toronto Blue Jays (75-57)
AL Central: Kansas City Royals (80-51)
AL West: Houston Astros (73-60)
Wild Card: New York Yankees (73-58)
Wild Card: Texas Rangers (69-62)
The Yankees have a comfortable four game lead for home-field advantage over the team they would face in the Wild Card round. The Bronx Bombers are within 1.5 games of the Blue Jays for the division title, with both teams likely to make the postseason, regardless of who ends up on top.
The Rangers are clinging to the final Wild Card spot with the Twins breathing down their necks. The Angels and Tampa Bay Rays are still in the mix at 3.5 games back, but both are struggling to stay above .500, while the suddenly surging Cleveland Indians can’t be counted out yet at 5 games back.
The Baltimore Orioles have gone into a tailspin, losing 6 straight and 9 of their last 10 to fall 6.5 games out of a playoff spot. Stick a fork in those birds, they are all done.
Oddly enough the Oakland A’s remain in the basement, despite having a +14 run differential that is the 6th best in the league. Of the teams reasonably within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, only the Yankees (+78) have a positive run differential.