Red Sox Lose But Clinch A.L. East; Wild Card Races Still Tight

The Boston Red Sox lost to the New York Yankees 5-3 on September 28th, but they nonetheless clinched the American League East title when the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays. With that, all the division races have been decided. But the Wild Card races are not over and are coming down right to the wire.

Going into action on September 29th, the Blue Jays were on top in the A.L. Wild Card race with the Orioles one game behind them. The Detroit Tigers were one game behind the Orioles following a rain shortened five inning win over the Cleveland Indians. The Seattle Mariners were just one game behind Detroit following a victory over Houston. Four teams are within two games of each other for the two Wild Card slots.

In the National League, the New York Mets were a game and a half in front in the Wild Card race following a victory over the Miami Marlins. The Mets have just three games remaining against Philadelphia, and are in great position to clinch a spot. The San Francisco Giants have managed to stay in the hunt despite a bad second half of the season. The Giants, who lost to Colorado on September 28th, fell to a game and a half behind the Mets. The Giants have one more with Colorado and then host the N.L West champion Los Angeles Dodgers for three games to close out the regular season. The St. Louis Cardinals, who lost to the 67-91 Cincinnati Reds on September 28th, are a game behind the Giants. The Cardinals host the Reds once more, and then close it out at home with three against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It would be better for the Cardinals if they played on the road, where they have the best record in baseball at 48-33. At home, they’re just 34-43.  The Giants are 41-36 at home, so they probably have the best shot at the second Wild Card.