MLB 2015: MOVING TOWARDS THE PLAYOFFS
On Sunday, it’s time for 20 MLB teams to finally bid farewell to the 2015 season. For the other gifted 10, it’s hello to the postseason. In both cases, it’s time for fans to stress about their teams’ futures.
Five of the six division titles are wrapped up, as well as three of the four wild-card spots. The playoff picture would’ve been much clearer after Saturday if it weren’t for a thrilling comeback.
Leading the Los Angeles Angels 10-6 heading into the ninth inning, the Rangers had a 99 percent chance of winning the game and, by extension, the American League West, per ESPN.com. However, they let the Angels score five runs in the top of the final frame for an improbable 11-10 come-from-behind win, one that kept both their AL wild-card hopes alive and the Houston Astros’ hopes of winning the AL West division.
“It’s probably the craziest game I’ve been part of,’’ Angels center fielder Mike Trout said, via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “with everything we’ve got on the line. We lose that game, we’re in trouble.’’
The AL playoff picture is clearly in a state of flux, nor is everything settled in the National League.
Below are tables showing the playoff picture and standings heading into Sunday’s finales, followed by a look at what’s at stake on the final day of the regular season.
2015 MLB Playoff Picture Heading into Sunday
American League | ||
Round | Away | Home |
Wild Card | Houston Astros | New York Yankeys |
ALDS | Texas Rangers | Toronto Blue Jays |
ALDS | Astros/Yankees | Kansas City Royal |
National League | ||
Round | Away | Home |
Wild Card | Chicago Cubs | Pittsburgh Pirates |
NLDS | New York Mets | Los Angeles Dodgers |
NLDS | Cubs/Pirates | St Louis Cadinals |
American League, National League Relevant Standings
AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
Division Leaders | W | L |
Toronto (AL East) | 93 | 68 |
Kansas City (AL Central) | 94 | 67 |
Texas (AL West) | 87 | 74 |
Wild Card | ||
New York Yankees | 87 | 74 |
Houston Astros | 86 | 75 |
Los Angeles Angels | 85 | 76 |
NATIONAL LEAGUE | ||
Division Leaders | W | L |
New York Mets (NL East) | 89 | 72 |
St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central) | 100 | 60 |
Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West) | 91 | 70 |
Wild Card | ||
Pittsburgh Pirates | 97 | 64 |
Chicago Cubs | 96 | 65 |