The Rays have a 4 ½-game lead over the Yankees, and the two square off in a four-game series in the Bronx during the last week of the season. That could be juicy, so let's hope the Yankees can keep it within four games. Obviously, the Rays are overwhelmingly more likely to win the division, but this is workable for the Yankees.
The White Sox are holding strong at the top, and it's gotten to the point where it would be a surprise if they fell back. It is not over, however, with the Guardians only 3 ½ games out. There's one head-to-head series left, in Cleveland, Sept. 14-16.
The White Sox don't play a game against a winning team after that. This pathetic pillow fight thankfully has one team over .500 at this point in the Astros, but they're only one game over. The Rangers are two games back and the Mariners are a workable five.
The Astros face the Mariners for a two-game series in the last week of the season and the Rangers are out of head-to-heads. The Mariners have an absurdly easy remaining schedule, but that doesn't automatically mean they'll make a run. They aren't a very inspiring bunch at this point.
The Yankees and Red Sox are fairly safe in the top two spots. The Guardians have it right now, but the Blue Jays and Orioles are 1 ½ games out, the Rangers are two back, Twins are four out, Mariners are five and Tigers are 5 ½. It will be quite the race of slightly competent, at best, baseball.
The Braves should have it, but the Phillies have quickly shaved off 5 ½ games a few times this season. And, get this: There are seven head-to-head games remaining. The Brewers own the Cubs at this point and currently have an eight-game lead.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
