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Major League Standings Update September 5: Do-Or-Die In Cleveland?

So it all comes down to this: the Indians welcoming the Tigers to Progressive Field, and needing to win at least two-of-three -- perhaps needing even to sweep.

As we take our beginning-of-the-week look at the standings in the Major Leagues, and at who plays whom in games that really matter for contenders, it is impossible to find a series any bigger than Indians-Tigers.

But there are other teams fighting for their lives, and other big games to be played.

So let us proceed:


AL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Detroit 78 62 .557 0 Won 3
Cleveland 70 67 .510 6.5 Won 1
Chicago 68 69 .496 8.5 Lost 4
Minnesota 58 81 .417 19.5 Lost 2
Kansas City 58 83 .411 20.5 Lost 1

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:35 AM EDT)


Obviously, if you are on this particular page, you know who plays whom beginning Monday afternoon in Cleveland, but the White Sox also have an outside chance, although they basically played their way out of contention when they were swept over the weekend.

Chicago heads to Minnesota and begins a series vs, the Twins with a doubleheader on Monday.

Detroit's magic number to clinch the Central stands at 18, while Chicago's elimination number is 16, the Twins is 4, and the Royals is 2.


AL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
New York 85 53 .615 0 Won 4
Boston 84 55 .604 1.5 Lost 1
Tampa Bay 76 63 .546 9.5 Won 2
Toronto 69 71 .492 17 Lost 3
Baltimore 55 83 .398 30 Lost 2

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:38 AM EDT)


This division is the tightest race left right now, with the Yankees in Baltimore on Monday and the Red Sox in Toronto. The Rays, who are literally about an update away from being considered "out of it", are home to the Rangers.

New York's magic number is 23, and whichever team finishes second in this division will probably get the Wild Card.


AL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Texas 80 61 .567 0 Won 1
Los Angeles 76 64 .542 3.5 Won 2
Oakland 64 76 .457 15.5 Won 4
Seattle 58 81 .417 21 Lost 4

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:40 AM EDT)


The Rangers are still the team to beat in this division, with a magic number of 19, but the Angels don't want to go away and are hanging peskily in there. Unfortunately for the Angels, it is pretty much down to "catch the Rangers or watch the playoffs at home".

Texas, as noted above, is at Tampa Bay to start the week while Los Angeles entertains the Mariners.


American League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Boston 84 55 .604 0 Lost 1
Tampa Bay 76 63 .546 8 Won 2
Los Angeles 76 64 .542 8.5 Won 2
Cleveland 70 67 .510 13 Won 1
Chicago 68 69 .496 15 Lost 4
Toronto 69 71 .492 15.5 Lost 3
Oakland 64 76 .457 20.5 Won 4
Minnesota 58 81 .417 26 Lost 2
Seattle 58 81 .417 26 Lost 4
Kansas City 58 83 .411 27 Lost 1
Baltimore 55 83 .398 28.5 Lost 2

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:43 AM EDT)


As can be seen by a cursory look at the Wild Card standings, the Red Sox are pretty much in the driver's seat, with a magic number of 16 to clinch the fourth American League playoff spot. And of course Boston is very much alive for the East crown.

And in the National League...


NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 84 57 .595 0 Won 3
St. Louis 74 66 .528 9.5 Lost 1
Cincinnati 69 71 .492 14.5 Won 1
Pittsburgh 64 76 .457 19.5 Lost 1
Chicago 60 80 .428 23.5 Won 1
Houston 47 93 .335 36.5 Lost 3

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:45 AM EDT)


It is just about over in the NL Central, with the Brewers' magic number shrunken to 13. The Cardinals are in desperate condition, as they are well behind the Braves for the Wild Card.

Milwaukee goes to St. Louis to begin the week, and this race could literally be over in the next week or so.

The Cubs and Astros are already eliminated, while the Pirates and Reds will likely be gone from the race before the end of the week.


NL East Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Philadelphia 88 48 .647 0 Lost 2
Atlanta 82 57 .589 7.5 Won 1
New York 68 70 .492 21 Won 1
Washington 64 74 .463 25 Lost 1
Florida 62 77 .446 27.5 Won 2

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:48 AM EDT)


The Phillies have hit a little bump with two straight losses, but still their magic number is 18 to win another NL East crown.

Philadelphia will get a chance to just about put this division away when they take on Atlanta at home with a series beginning today.

Florida is out, and the Nationals will be eliminated with their next loss, or the next Phillies' win.


NL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Arizona 80 60 .571 0 Won 2
San Francisco 73 67 .521 7 Lost 2
Los Angeles 68 71 .489 11.5 Lost 1
Colorado 66 74 .471 14 Lost 1
San Diego 61 79 .435 19 Won 1

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:51 AM EDT)


Arizona decreased their magic number to 16 by taking two-of-three from the Giants over the weekend. The Diamondbacks now head to Colorado to face the Rockies, while the defending champs from San Francisco are on the road to take on the Padres.


National League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Atlanta 82 57 .589 0 Won 1
St. Louis 74 66 .528 8.5 Lost 1
San Francisco 73 67 .521 9.5 Lost 2
New York 68 70 .492 13.5 Won 1
Cincinnati 69 71 .492 13.5 Won 1
Los Angeles 68 71 .489 14 Lost 1
Colorado 66 74 .471 16.5 Lost 1
Washington 64 74 .463 17.5 Lost 1
Pittsburgh 64 76 .457 18.5 Lost 1
Florida 62 77 .446 20 Won 2
San Diego 61 79 .435 21.5 Won 1
Chicago 60 80 .428 22.5 Won 1
Houston 47 93 .335 35.5 Lost 3

(updated 9.5.2011 at 11:53 AM EDT)


The Braves are just about out of contention in the NL East -- yet are looking good for the Wild Card, for which their magic number is 15.

Only Houston has actually been mathematically eliminated, but a slew of teams are likely to be history before our next update...

...which will be available for your perusal on Friday.


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