AL Wild Card Update: September 28

As the final week of the season plays out, the Indians are in contention for a playoff spot for the first time since 2007. As they continue to battle it out against the likes of the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City Royals, Wahoo’s on First will be your source for all the updates and insight you could possibly want. We start things off today with a standings update and a recap of all of yesterday’s pennant chase action. (Refresh if videos don’t load)

Standings ESPN.com

Indians:

The Indians won their 8th straight game on Friday night, defeating the Twins by a score of 12-6. The victory, combined with a loss by the Rays and the Indians now find themselves tied for the AL Wild Card lead. More importantly, the win keeps the Indians ahead of the Rangers who are still nipping at the Tribe’s heels at one game behind. The Tribe will look to continue their red-hot way today against the Twins when Scott Kazmir takes the mound against Cole De Vries. The only real question facing the Indians is, “who closes out games?” Could it be Justin Masterson? Who knows, but Jason Kipnis is excited.

Rays:

As previously mentioned, the Rays lost to the Blue Jays on Friday, causing things to get that much more cramped in the AL Wild Card race. Surprisingly, the culprit on Friday was the Rays usually stout defense. Three costly errors led to three unearned runs, the difference in a 6-3 game. The Rays now find themselves tied at the top with the Tribe and now have to worry about the Rangers for the first time in about a week. However, don’t expect the Rays to panic. Joe Maddon will have his team ready to go today when Chris Archer takes the mound against the Blue Jays’ J.A. Happ.

Rangers:

The Rangers continue to be the odd man out in the Wild Card race. They won their fifth straight game on Saturday against the Angels, a 5-3 nail biter. As things currently stand, the Rangers are a full game back of both the Rays and Indians for one of the final two AL playoff spots. Give them credit for one thing. While they may have faltered early on in the month, thus causing their current predicament, the Rangers are doing everything they need to do in order to fight their way back in. Five straight wins and a 7-3 record over their last 10 games is nothing to scoff at. They are doing what they need to do. Unfortunately, the teams ahead of them are even hotter.