While it looks like a virtual certainty that the two National League Wild Card teams will be coming from the NL Central the American League is a lot more up in the air. While we have a pretty good idea who all three division champions will be; Boston's magic number is down to 1 while both Detroit and Oakland have a magic number of 3.
Two weeks ago both Tampa Bay and Texas looked like they had playoff berths wrapped up; both teams went in a bit of a freefall and find themselves tied for the Wild Card with four teams hot on their tail. Both Texas and Tampa Bay will be playing some of the teams chasing them this upcoming week giving them a chance to secure a spot in October; or a front seat view of their playoff hopes getting away from them.
Let's take a look at each of the six teams fighting for the two spots and what lies ahead.
Tampa Bay - The Rays have a pretty tough schedule ahead of them; 4 with Baltimore at home before hitting the road for 3 against the Yankees and 3 against the Blue Jays. Both the Orioles and Yankees think they still have a chance to reach October so they will still be playing hard. Wednesday night will be Mariano Rivera's last game at the Stadium so you know they'll be giving the Rays everything they have.
Texas - The Rangers have dropped 8 out of their last 10 and are it is looking like they might replicate the epic collapse they suffered last season. One thing the Rangers have going for them is that they have one of the best pitchers in the game in Yu Darvish and a pretty easy schedule. They have to play 3 against the upstart Kansas City Royals on the road, which could be tough, but then it's smooth sailing with 2 against the lowly Astros and 4 against the almost as lowly Angels at home.
Cleveland - Two years removed from the history making collapse that cost him his job manager Terry Francona has turned a team that had hit hard times in to a contender quicker than anyone imagined possible. Currently the Indians find themselves a half game behind Texas and Tampa Bay. The Indians should end up taking one of those playoff seeds because they have an absurdly easy schedule the rest of the way; they finish up playing the 3 worst teams in the league. They have 3 at home against the Astros followed by 2 against the White Sox before finishing up with 3 in Minnesota.
Baltimore - Last year's surprise playoff team is currently 2 games back from making a return trip despite the insane season Chris Davis has enjoyed. Starting Friday night the Orioles can help their cause greatly as they open up a 4 game series with the Rays. Then they return home to host the Blue Jays and Red Sox for 3 apiece. By the last weekend the Sox may have the best record wrapped up and be coasting to end the season but if they don't expect them to still play tough.
Kansas City - This is the only team that is more surprising to mention in regards to playoff contention than Cleveland. The Royals haven't finished over .500 since 2003 and they haven't been to the playoffs since George Brett brought home a World Championship in 1985. Currently the Royals are a long shot at 3 games out but they can do some damage starting Friday night hosting the first of 3 against the Rangers. The Royals finish up with 7 games on the road, which is tough. Those games are against the Mariners and the White Sox, which is not tough.
New York - The Yankees are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card right now so it looks like they will most likely be on the outside looking in. It really is pretty impressive that this team is even contending considering the injuries they have had, of course, it's a lot easier to have depth when you have a payroll over $200 million. If the Yankees can take at least 2 out of 3 from Tampa they might have a shot at the second Wild Card; they also have 3 at home against the Giants and 3 in Houston to end the season.
