There are 10 games left in the MLB season and it’s going to be a tight race to see who wins what divisions and the wild card spots for the rights to play in the one game playoff. The National League divisions are all wrapped up as Washington has the East, Cincinnati in the Central and San Francisco out West. The first wild card is secure for Atlanta who is having a nice year after blowing it late last year and if Washington falters and the Braves get really hot could make up the 4.5 games they are behind, but it is unlikely. The final wild card spot is very interesting with a good bunch of teams a chasing St. Louis who is leading the way with 82-71 record, with Milwaukee a few games back at 79-73, close third is LA Dodgers 79-74, out of nowhere Arizona 77-75 and from the ashes Philadelphia at 77-76 at five games back. To me the way it will shape up is St. Louis will hold off the other team as they are too veteran and too solid of a team to fold up and blow the lead.

The American League is a little more open within the divisions, but the wildcards are limited to a few teams and a few outsiders. The AL East has NY Yankees and Baltimore neck and neck with wins in the high 80s as the Yankees have 88 and Baltimore is a game off the pace at 87 with 10 to play with the loser most likely getting the top wildcard spot. The Yankees have a more favorable schedule down the stretch and a strong veteran presence to let this lead full slip away in the end. The Yankees will win the division with Baltimore winning a wildcard spot. The Central is an intriguing race with neither team wanting to take control of the division as both teams seem to go through winning and losing streaks together. Chicago has a one game lead with 10 to play, but there is no safety net of the wildcard as their play has pushed them too far back. I think Detroit relies too much on their hitting and Verlander without enough help from the spotty other four starters and bullpen to make it to the playoffs. Chicago has veteran pitchers and hitters that will come through in the clutch and get them into the playoffs as the division winner. Texas has a good four game division lead with 10 to play, but Oakland is making them earn it down to the end. Oakland is in the second spot for the wildcard just a game back of Baltimore for the top spot. The two teams on the outside looking in to fight for a shot at the wildcard are the LA Angels and Tampa Bay Rays who are 2.5 and 3.5 games out respectfully with 10 to play.

To sum it up the NL will have Washington, Cincinnati and San Francisco as division winners and Atlanta and St. Louis as wildcard winners. The AL will have NY Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Texas as division winners and have Oakland and Baltimore taking the two wildcard spots. With these 10 teams in should make for an exciting postseason. Check back next week for my MLB Playoff Preview on who will win which series!!