AL Wild Card Update
UPDATE:Â Setember 18, 2009:
The Red Sox have just about locked up the AL wildcard. They have a sizable lead over the fading Rangers. It looks like Yankees versus Detroit and Boston versus Anaheim in the divisional round. The AL Wild Card race is usually a lot closer than it turned out to be this year!
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The AL Wild Card seems to be a 2-team race between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers, but the Tampa Bat Rays, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox are not out of the picture.
Here are the teams that still have a shot at winning the Wild Card and their odds to win the Al Pennant at one of the leading sportsbooks.
Boston Red Sox +350
Man are the Red Sox reeling. Ever since the New York Yankees swept them a while back they have not looked good to say the least. They are currently are playing a series in Texas that is HUGE in the Wild Card standings. The Red Sox are only 4-6 in their last 10 games, but they still lead the Wild Card race by .5 games. The Red Sox pitching staff has been a disappointment as of late and their offense has looked lethargic. They have the tools to make the playoffs, but they need to break out of their current slump. It looks as if the Wild Card is the Red Sox only chance to get to the post season, as they currently trail the red-hot Yankees by 7.5 games in the AL East.
Texas Rangers +1800
The Rangers are only .5 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card race and, much like the Red Sox, the Wild Card may be the only way that the Rangers will see the playoffs, as they currently trail the LA Angels in the AL West by 4.5 games. The Rangers are 6-4 in their last 10 games and while they have a great offense their pitching staff, which has pitched better then expected this season, needs to finish the season strong for them to have any shot.
Tampa Bay Rays +600
The Rays climbed back into the Wild Card race with a huge streak a few weeks back, but they have slumped recently. They currently trail the Red Sox by 4 games in the Wild Card and they trail the Yankees by 11.5 games in the AL East. They are only 4-6 in their last 10 games and to make the post season their pitching staff has to have strong finish. They have a lot of ground to cover and they still play the Yankees and Red Sox several more times, so the schedule is not in their favor. ‘
Seattle Mariners +5000
The Mariners have flown under the radar this season, but they are still in the Wild Card race trailing the Red Sox by 6.5 games. Their pitching staff is legit, but their offense is pretty weak, as they have scored the least runs in the AL this season. Unless their offense wakes up and they go on a big winning streak snagging the Wild Card is a reach.
Chicago White Sox +1000
The White Sox trail the Red Sox by 6.5 games in the Wild Card race and they have a better chance to win the AL Central, as they only trail the Tigers by 2.5 games. The trade for Jake Peavey needs to jump-start a pitching staff that is mediocre at best. The White Sox also need more pop in the offense, as if they do not score their pitching staff is not good enough to bail them out.
Dont Agree? Let us Know. We love hearing your thoughts and picks!
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