It’s still a race in the AL West after the MLB All-Star break, but the Rangers kept their place at the top after sweeping the Guardians.
Texas used two come-from-behind wins and a solid showing from the new, co-closing duo of Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith.
The Rangers are in a good spot, but it’s no time to take the foot off the gas with a competitive American League. Wild Card spots wouldn’t be guaranteed were the Astros to catch up.
Here’s a closer look at the whole AL playoff picture.
Playoff reminder: In the still-relatively-new MLB playoff format, six teams from the American League and the National League each make the playoffs, with the top two seeds from each getting what equates to a first-round bye and awaiting the winners of two wildcard series.
Division leaders
AL East — Tampa Bay Rays, 60-36
The Rays had a favorable return from the break in a three-game series against the Royals, but Kansas City did steal one Sunday. The Rays hold the best record in the American League, but the next series is a huge one.
Tampa has three games in Arlington this week.
AL West — Texas Rangers, 55-39
The Rangers have maintained their lead over the Astros but have the third-most wins in the AL. And Toronto is within striking distance. This next series against the Rays could really define July for the Rangers, even if they had a hefty presence at All-Star weekend.
What the Rangers have going for them now is the arrival of Chapman. He brought the heat in his first save as a Ranger on Saturday. The tandem of Chapman and Smith can cover up some holes, but the Rangers’ bullpen could still use bolstering.
AL Central — Minnesota Twins, 48-45
Big weekend for the Twins. Minnesota swept the Athletics and the Guardians went winless against the Rangers. As of now, none of the AL Central teams could really threaten the Rangers for a Wild Card spot if the Astros caught up.
Wildcard standings
(Top three teams claim wildcard spots)
Baltimore Orioles — 57-35, +6
Toronto Blue Jays — 53-41, +1
Houston Astros — 52-42
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Boston Red Sox — 50-44, 2 GB
New York Yankees — 50-44, 2 GB
Seattle Mariners — 46-46, 5 GB
Los Angeles Angels — 46-48, 6 GB
Cleveland Guardians — 45-48, 6.5 GB
There was a shuffle in the first week back from the break. The Red Sox tied their race with the Yankees and the Guardians fell out of contention after being swept. The strength of the AL East is why things could get scary for the Astros or the Rangers. Baltimore and Toronto are both having nice seasons, along with Tampa. All it takes is a nice run from Boston or New York and Houston is out.
Baseball, right?
Twitter: @dmn_rangers
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