AL Wild Card Chase Looks like Two Team Race

With every AL West team thoroughly counted out of postseason contention besides the division-winning Los Angeles Angels, the AL wild card chase is down to a two-division race for the final AL postseason spot for a non-division-winning team.

With the Tampa Bay Rays showing absolutely no signs of wavering in their pursuit of their first division-winning season in franchise history, the race may ultimately boil down to a three-team race between the Boston Red Sox and whichever teams come in second place in the AL Central.

With the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins tied for the division lead at 77-60, the loser of that division will be faced with the specter of beating out the Boston Red Sox who have won three more games than both teams this season to date.

Here is a look at all of the top contenders for the 2008 AL wild card berth.

2008 American League – Wild Card Standings

Boston Red Sox – 80-57

With 24 games remaining, including six against the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox certainly have a chance at winning the AL East outright. Boston also plays the underrated Toronto Blue Jays six times and the New York Yankees three times.

Chicago White Sox 77-60

The White Sox have seen their slim lead evaporate and I’m beginning to think they’re going to fail to win the AL Central.

Minnesota Twins – 77-60

Minnesota has overachieved all season long and have six games against the atrocious Kansas City Royals left on their schedule and three against the White Sox.

New York Yankees – 73-64

With six games left against the Rays, and three each against the Angels, Blue Jays and Red Sox, the Yankees can forget about the postseason plans this year!

Toronto Blue Jays – 70-66

Too bad Cito Gaston took over this club at midseason. Had he managed them from the start of the 2008 season, Toronto may be in the postseason. Watch out for the Jays in 2009!

Analysis: I’ll keep this pick simple and to the point by saying that I fully expect the Tampa Bay Rays to hold on to their lead in the AL East, while the Boston Red Sox record more wins than either, the White Sox or Twins, leaving the AL Central division loser out of the postseason.

Take the Boston Red Sox to reach the postseason and give it the old college try at defending the 2007 World Series Championship.

MLB Free Picks: Boston Red Sox