clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

MLB Standings Update: One Team Re-Enters The Playoff Mix

The Tampa Bay Rays have won five games in a row to stay alive in the American League East and the AL Wild Card picture, while the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers hold pretty healthy leads in the other two divisions of the Junior Circuit as we head into another week of Major League action.

Here is your latest look at the standings, as well as what the slate of the contenders looks like:


AL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
New York 77 48 .616 0 Won 1
Boston 77 49 .611 0.5 Won 1
Tampa Bay 69 56 .552 8 Won 5
Toronto 65 62 .511 13 Won 1
Baltimore 47 77 .379 29.5 Lost 5

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:27 AM EDT)


The Yankees take their thinnest of leads to the field at home vs. the Oakland Athletics for a series beginning Tuesday night, while the Red Sox have a challenge heading into Texas to face the Rangers starting Monday. The Rays, who have won five in a row and refuse to go away, open a four-game series at home against the Tigers on Monday night.

Go Rays!


AL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Detroit 68 58 .539 0 Won 3
Cleveland 62 61 .504 4.5 Lost 3
Chicago 63 63 .500 5 Won 2
Minnesota 55 71 .436 13 Lost 1
Kansas City 52 76 .406 17 Lost 1

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:30 AM EDT)


As noted above, the Tigers are in Tampa Bay for four games beginning on Monday, while the Indians play four games against Seattle in three days, with a day/night doubleheader on Tuesday against the Mariners. The White Sox, once again only a half-game back of the Indians, are out west starting Tuesday night to take on the Angels in Anaheim.


AL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Texas 73 55 .570 0 Lost 2
Los Angeles 69 59 .539 4 Won 4
Oakland 57 70 .448 15.5 Lost 1
Seattle 53 72 .424 18.5 Lost 5

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:32 AM EDT)


The Rangers host the Red Sox beginning Monday in what should be a barn-burner of a series in Texas, while the Angels host the Chicago White Sox beginning Tuesday night.


American League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Boston 77 49 .611 0 Won 1
Tampa Bay 69 56 .552 7.5 Won 5
Los Angeles 69 59 .539 9 Won 4
Toronto 65 62 .511 12.5 Won 1
Cleveland 62 61 .504 13.5 Lost 3
Chicago 63 63 .500 14 Won 2
Oakland 57 70 .448 20.5 Lost 1
Minnesota 55 71 .436 22 Lost 1
Seattle 53 72 .424 23.5 Lost 5
Kansas City 52 76 .406 26 Lost 1
Baltimore 47 77 .379 29 Lost 5

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:34 AM EDT)


As can be seen by a look at the Wild Card standings, it is more and more looking as if the East will hold two of the four American League playoff spots, although Tampa Bay and Los Angeles are still hanging on.

It is evident that the Indians will not be a Wild Card, so it is a simple scenario for Cleveland: win the Central or watch the postseason on T.V.

*******************************************


NL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Philadelphia 81 44 .648 0 Lost 1
Atlanta 76 52 .593 6.5 Won 4
Washington 61 64 .488 20 Won 1
New York 60 66 .476 21.5 Lost 3
Florida 57 70 .448 25 Lost 5

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:36 AM EDT)


The Braves are making a little run at the Phillies, although -- as in the American League -- it looks as if the East of the NL will have two playoff teams regardless of the division winner, as Atlanta holds a healthy lead for the Wild Card (see below). Philadelphia begins a series at home against the Mets on Monday, while Atlanta heads for Wrigley Field to face the Cubs.


NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 76 52 .593 0 Won 3
St. Louis 67 60 .527 8.5 Won 1
Cincinnati 62 65 .488 13.5 Won 1
Pittsburgh 59 66 .472 15.5 Lost 1
Chicago 56 71 .440 19.5 Lost 1
Houston 42 85 .330 33.5 Lost 1

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:38 AM EDT)


The Brewers enjoy the largest lead in any division at present, and are in Pittsburgh vs, the Pirates beginning Monday, while the only other team that has a prayer will host the Dodgers when Los Angeles comes to St. Louis, also starting on Monday.


NL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Arizona 69 58 .543 0 Lost 5
San Francisco 68 60 .531 1.5 Won 1
Colorado 60 68 .468 9.5 Won 2
San Diego 59 70 .457 11 Won 4
Los Angeles 57 69 .452 11.5 Lost 2

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:41 AM EDT)


The Diamondbacks and the Giants have both struggled as of late, giving the Rockies the faintest breath of life for the postseason. Arizona begins the week in Washington against the Nationals, while San Francisco is at home vs. the Padres and Colorado is home to take on the Astros.


National League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Atlanta 76 52 .593 0 Won 4
San Francisco 68 60 .531 8 Won 1
St. Louis 67 60 .527 8.5 Won 1
Washington 61 64 .488 13.5 Won 1
Cincinnati 62 65 .488 13.5 Won 1
New York 60 66 .476 15 Lost 3
Pittsburgh 59 66 .472 15.5 Lost 1
Colorado 60 68 .468 16 Won 2
San Diego 59 70 .457 17.5 Won 4
Los Angeles 57 69 .452 18 Lost 2
Florida 57 70 .448 18.5 Lost 5
Chicago 56 71 .440 19.5 Lost 1
Houston 42 85 .330 33.5 Lost 1

(updated 8.22.2011 at 11:43 AM EDT)


The National League Wild Card mirrors the AL, with three teams in the running but -- truly -- one team head and shoulders above the rest.

Thus in both leagues, it is fair to say that in the Central and West Divisions, it is win it or go home.

Check back on Friday when we update again with a look at what's happening entering the last weekend of August.

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