A.L.– Movement in Each Division
The American League has seen the Red Sox go through a tough 4-6 stretch, while the Yanks have earned a 5-5 mark, giving them a 1 game lead in the East. Both have solid chances to win their divisions. This week saw the Yanks gain ground at the start of the week and then lose it at the end.
In the A.L. West, Oakland has an 9-1 record, which has put them 4.5 games ahead of the second-place L.A. Angels. Texas (6-4) is 5 games behind the A’s.
The Central has seen some tightening. Detroit has lost 5 straight, with a 4-6 record over the last 10 games, while the White Sox have won 4 in a row, with a 7-3 mark in 10 contests. The White Sox are 5.5 games from the Central’s top and the Twins, who have gone 6-4, are 10 out.
The A.L. Wild Card is less competitive than the senior circuit’s. Chicago leads that race, with Boston 2 games back and Minnesota 2.5 games off. Toronto, being 8 games back, is in distant striking range.
A team able to pick up 2 games in every 10 they play could gain 9 games by the end of the season. Of course, the leaders would have to drop the same amount for there to be a major change. Any head-to-head series in the final six weeks of the season between contenders can decide the whole thing. That means it could be a wild, wild West, a combustible Central and an unrivaled final few weeks in the A.L. East.
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