Angels Clinch American League West

The Los Angeles Angels clinched at least a tie for the American League West title on September 17th, scoring all five runs in the seventh inning of their 5-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. An hour later, the Oakland Athletics lost to the Texas Rangers and the Angels won it outright. It was their first division crown in five years, and helped to make up for the 2013 season, when they underperformed to put it politely. There was none of that this year, as they exploded in the second half of the season and left Oakland in the dust.

The Angels have the best record in the majors at 95-57, and join the Baltimore Orioles (A.L. East) and Washington Nationals (N.L. East) as division champs. Oakland, which led the A.L West for a good chunk of the season, has nearly fallen off the charts and is in danger of not making the post season at all. The Detroit Tigers (84-68) and Kansas City Royals (83-68) are battling it out for the A.L. Central, and whichever team doesn’t make it could be one the two American League Wild Cards. Oakland is 83-68, and would be the second Wild Card if the season ended today. However, Seattle is 81-70, two games behind Oakland, and are still close enough to get past the Athletics if they falter.