Tampa Bay Rays / Texas Rangers
Texas continues their downward spiral in the standings, first getting swept by the Oakland A's over the weekend; extending their American League (AL) West division lead by seven games, and losing to the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night.
The Rays have broken out of their 4-17 slump that knocked them out of their AL East division lead over the Boston Red Sox, having won four out the last five games, and taking the first AL Wild-card spot, after defeating the Rangers 6-2 at Tropicana Field.
Alex Cobb (9-3) went eight innings allowing two runs, six hits, one walk and had 10 strikeouts, helping the Rays take the lead for the first AL wild-card spot.
"At this point of the season, the position we're in, every game is going to get bigger and bigger," said Cobb. "Yesterday was the biggest game of the season, today is the biggest game of the season, tomorrow will be the biggest game of the season. I don't think it's unfair to say that. We realize the performance we have to put together out there every night, and I think we're up for it."
The Rangers' bats have been silent as they keep dropping in both the AL West and AL Wild-card standings, having lost 12 out of their last 14 games in September and stuck in a seven game losing streak.
"I'm not frustrated, I'm confused," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "I'm trying to figure out what we have to do to jump-start this offense."
Cleveland Indians / Kansas City Royals
Cleveland had a rough home-stand against the Kansas City Royals last week, losing two out of three games. Cleveland rebounded on the road against the Chicago White Sox, winning their last three games, including an 8-1 victory Saturday night in Chicago.
But that positive weekend stretch did not last long with the Royals continuing to move up the AL Wild-card standings at the expense of Cleveland, beating them 7-1 Monday night, moving 2 ½ games behind the Rangers for the second wild-card spot.
"Every game is important," said Royals pitcher James Shields (12-9) after Monday's game. "This is what we live for, this is what we play for, September baseball, and hopefully we have a chance to go to the playoffs."
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore regained their groove, putting them two games out of the second wild-card after dropping three out of four home games against the New York Yankees earlier in the week, beating the Toronto Blue Jays two out of three games during their weekend series, including a Toronto 3-1 victory Sunday afternoon.
"It's the time of year you don't dwell," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "For every game someone said we should have won, I can give you three on paper that we shouldn't have won. But things happen. You try to just put a barrier there. Once you get to September, realize we're playing a different game in September, roster-wise and sense of urgency."
New York Yankees
The Yankees were swept by their their long-time rivals, the Boston Red Sox, and need help in order to win a wild-card spot being 2 ½ games behind the Rangers. New York faces the possibility that they could win all of their 12 remaining games and end up empty-handed. The Yankees have a four-game home series late next week against the Tampa Bay Rays and hope to make up ground with two weeks left in the season.
"Obviously, we need a little help," said Yankee pitcher C. C. Sabathia (13-13). "But if we don't win, that help won't even matter. We need to win most of the rest of the games we are playing, and then see what happens."
|
Wild-card Standings |
W |
L |
PCT |
WCGB |
|
Tampa Bay Rays |
82 |
67 |
.550 |
- |
|
Texas Rangers |
81 |
68 |
.544 |
- |
|
Cleveland Indians |
81 |
69 |
.540 |
0.5 |
|
Baltimore Orioles |
79 |
70 |
.530 |
2.0 |
|
Kansas City Royals |
79 |
71 |
.527 |
2.5 |
|
Kansas City Royals |
79 |
71 |
.527 |
2.5 |