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MLB Standings Update: The Season Winds Down To Its Last 6 Weeks

In six weeks, all will be decided in Major League baseball. That may seem like a lot of time, until one realizes that, if six weeks are left, that means that 20 weeks have already passed since those damp and chilly days at the beginning of April (as well as on March 31) when the season got underway.

Here is a division-by-division look at where we stand entering the weekend, as well as who plays whom among the contenders in the American and National Leagues:

AL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Detroit 65 58 .528 0 Lost 1
Cleveland 62 58 .516 1.5 Won 2
Chicago 61 62 .495 4 Lost 2
Minnesota 54 69 .439 11 Lost 1
Kansas City 51 74 .408 15 Lost 1

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:34 AM EDT)

As everyone who follows baseball must be aware, the Indians are in Detroit this weekend for three games against the Tigers. Also, the White Sox, who may be reeling from losing their last two games to the Tribe, have the unenviable task of hosting the Texas Rangers this weekend.

AL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
New York 75 47 .614 0 Won 1
Boston 75 48 .609 0.5 Won 1
Tampa Bay 66 56 .540 9 Won 2
Toronto 64 60 .516 12 Won 3
Baltimore 47 74 .388 27.5 Lost 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:36 AM EDT)

The Yankees will continue a series in Minnesota vs. the Twins this weekend, attempting to retain their razor-thin lead, while the Red Sox are in Kansas City to take on the Royals. And because Tampa Bay is within 10 games, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and consider them contenders, even if very marginally. The Rays are at home to face the Mariners this weekend.

AL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Texas 72 53 .576 0 Lost 1
Los Angeles 66 59 .528 6 Won 1
Oakland 55 69 .443 16.5 Lost 1
Seattle 53 69 .434 17.5 Lost 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:40 AM EDT)

As stated above, the Rangers are on the road this weekend to play the White Sox in Chicago, while the only other team with a prayer in the West -- the Angels -- are home to the Orioles.

American League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Boston 75 48 .609 0 Won 1
Tampa Bay 66 56 .540 8.5 Won 2
Los Angeles 66 59 .528 10 Won 1
Cleveland 62 58 .516 11.5 Won 2
Toronto 64 60 .516 11.5 Won 3
Chicago 61 62 .495 14 Lost 2
Oakland 55 69 .443 20.5 Lost 1
Minnesota 54 69 .439 21 Lost 1
Seattle 53 69 .434 21.5 Lost 2
Kansas City 51 74 .408 25 Lost 1
Baltimore 47 74 .388 27 Lost 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:41 AM EDT)

As you can see from the Wild Card standings above, only the Rays are within ten games, while Baltimore, conversely, has a magic number of only 14 to be eliminated from postseason hopes.

Meanwhile, in the National League...

NL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Philadelphia 80 42 .655 0 Won 2
Atlanta 73 52 .584 8.5 Won 1
New York 60 63 .487 20.5 Won 1
Washington 59 63 .483 21 Won 1
Florida 57 67 .459 24 Lost 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:43 AM EDT)

The Phillies' magic number to clinch the division is at 31, and because the Braves are at present the Wild Card team, Philadelphia's magic number is the same to clinch a playoff spot. The Phillies are in Washington to take on the Nationals over the weekend, while Atlanta entertains the Diamondbacks.

NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 73 52 .584 0 Lost 1
St. Louis 66 58 .532 6.5 Won 1
Cincinnati 60 64 .483 12.5 Lost 1
Pittsburgh 58 64 .475 13.5 Lost 1
Chicago 54 70 .435 18.5 Lost 2
Houston 40 84 .322 32.5 Won 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:45 AM EDT)

The Brewers are threatening to run away with the NL Central, and are in New York to take on the Mets this weekend, while the Cardinals have a weekend series in Chicago against their arch-rivals, the Cubs.

NL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Arizona 69 55 .556 0 Lost 2
San Francisco 67 58 .536 2.5 Lost 1
Colorado 58 67 .464 11.5 Won 1
Los Angeles 56 67 .455 12.5 Won 1
San Diego 56 70 .444 14 Won 1

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:47 AM EDT)

The NL West is also a two-team battle, with Arizona -- as stated above -- in Atlanta this weekend, while the Giants are on the road to face the Astros.

National League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Atlanta 73 52 .584 0 Won 1
San Francisco 67 58 .536 6 Lost 1
St. Louis 66 58 .532 6.5 Won 1
New York 60 63 .487 12 Won 1
Cincinnati 60 64 .483 12.5 Lost 1
Washington 59 63 .483 12.5 Won 1
Pittsburgh 58 64 .475 13.5 Lost 1
Colorado 58 67 .464 15 Won 1
Florida 57 67 .459 15.5 Lost 2
Los Angeles 56 67 .455 16 Won 1
San Diego 56 70 .444 17.5 Won 1
Chicago 54 70 .435 18.5 Lost 2
Houston 40 84 .322 32.5 Won 2

(updated 8.19.2011 at 11:48 AM EDT)

As you can see by looking at the NL Wild Card list, it is basically a three-team race. And since the Brewers have the same amount of victories as the Wild Card-leading Braves, Houston already has reached the point where their magic number for elimination from all contention is down to 6.

Makes you kind of glad that the Tribe is still in this thing, doesn't it?

Be sure to check back on Monday for the next edition of our standings update.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.