AL West race is traditionally shut. Who has the sting?
n”,”providerName”:”Twitter”,”providerUrl”:”https://twitter.com”,”type”:”oembed”,”width”:550,”contentType”:”rich”},”__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”Before we take a look at every staff, right here’s an explainer on how a possible tiebreaker would work if all three completed with the identical document after 162 video games:nn* If one staff completed with a greater head-to-head document vs. every of the opposite two groups, then that staff can be the AL West champion. As of now that’s not the case, which underscores simply how shut this race is. Texas leads Seattle, 5-1 (seven video games remaining between these two), Seattle leads Houston, 8-2 (three video games remaining) and Houston leads Texas, 6-4 (three video games remaining).n n* If that have been to stay the case, with every staff holding a greater head-to-head document over each other, then the tiebreaker can be decided by mixed document amongst the tied groups. As of now, Texas is 9-7 (.563 win proportion), Seattle is 9-7 (.563) and Houston is 8-12 (.400). In this case, the Rangers can be the division winner, since they’re tied with the Mariners and at present have a greater head-to-head document towards Seattle.n n* If a Wild Card spot additionally factored into this three-way tie, then Seattle would obtain that place due to its head-to-head-record vs. Houston.”,”kind”:”textual content”,”__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”• The case for and against every AL West contender“,”type”:”text”,”__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”Here’s an outlook on each team the rest of the way:nn*****nn**MARINERS (76-57)**nn**Playoff odds (FanGraphs):** 86.3% n**Division title odds:** 32.3% n**Record vs. TEX:** 1-5 n**Record vs. HOU:** 8-2 n**Remaining schedule:** 3 at NYM, 3 at CIN, 4 at TB, 3 vs. LAA, 3 vs. LAD, 3 at OAK, 3, at TEX, 3 vs. HOU, 4 vs. TEX n**Strength of schedule:** .524 win percentage (seventh-hardest in MLB)nnAfter spending almost all of the first four months taking one step forward then another back, the Mariners have been the AL’s hottest team for over a month. Seattle spent 23 days this year at .500 — which is still an MLB high — but it hasn’t been even in the standings since July 24, when it was 50-50 and 8 1/2 games out of first and 5 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot.nnWould the Mariners have preferred to get going earlier? Of course. But with a conviction to their process and longstanding trust between players and coaches, Seattle has not wavered.nn“It’s going to be a wild, wild race for sure,” manager Scott Servais said. “And that is fun. Every game means something. And you look back a couple of months ago, and at the time, you’re thinking, ‘Oh gosh, what do we have to do to get those games in September to be important?’ Guess what — we did enough to make them important, really important. … That’s what baseball is about in September.”nnThe biggest component to their turnaround has been Julio Rodríguez playing like an MVP, hitting .429/.474/.724 (1.198 OPS) with seven homers, 10 doubles, 30 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in August. And a lingering nerve issue in his left foot that sidelined him the final two games of the month could hinge heavily on their postseason pursuit.nn*****nn**ASTROS (77-58)**nn**Playoff odds (FanGraphs):** 94.5% n**Division title odds:** 53.1% n**Record vs. SEA:** 2-8 n**Record vs. TEX:** 6-4 n**Remaining schedule:** 3 vs. NYY, 3 at TEX, 3 vs. SD, 3 vs. OAK, 3 at KC, 3 vs. BAL, 3 vs. KC, 3 at SEA, 3 at ARI n**Strength of schedule:** .459 win percentage (tied for third-easiest in MLB)nnThe Astros’ chances to win their sixth division title in the last seven years have improved with a five-game winning streak, which they capped with a sweep of the Red Sox on Wednesday. Following three video games at dwelling this weekend towards the Yankees and a vital three-game collection on the Rangers starting Monday, Houston’s schedule turns into actually favorable.nnThe defending World Series champs have six video games remaining towards the last-place Royals, three video games remaining towards the last-place A’s and three video games with the Padres, who’re in fourth place within the NL West. They’ll host Baltimore, the first-place staff within the AL East, throughout that stretch, however Houston received three of 4 in Baltimore in August.”,”kind”:”textual content”,”__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2023-08-27T19:44:37.732Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL(“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”)”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/27/d78b95d3-805267a9-a3c7d1e1-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Justin Verlander rings up seven hitters throughout 5 scoreless innings, recording his one centesimal profession win at Comerica Park”,”showAsVideoGif”:false,”length”:”00:02:06″,”slug”:”justin-verlander-rings-up-seven”,”tags”:[“__typename”:”GameTag”,”__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-117″,”title”:”Houston Astros”,”team”:”__ref”:”Team:117″,”type”:”team”,”__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-434378″,”title”:”Justin Verlander”,”person”:”__ref”:”Person:434378″,”type”:”player”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”pitching”,”title”:”pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight-reel-starting-pitching”,”title”:”highlight reel starting pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight-reel-pitching”,”title”:”highlight reel pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”milestone”,”title”:”milestone”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”eclat-feed”,”title”:”Eclat feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”international-feed”,”title”:”International Partner feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”fan-duel”,”title”:”Fan Duel”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”],”thumbnail”:”__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/formatInstructions/mlb/iy9rzzsepmlre0noti6s”,”title”:”Justin Verlander rings up seven”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/justin-verlander-rings-up-seven”,”__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”The Astros battled accidents for a lot of the season with star offensive gamers Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez lacking prolonged intervals, and veteran outfielder Michael Brantley lastly accomplished his return from shoulder surgical procedure and made his 2023 debut on Tuesday. Houston is as wholesome because it’s been all season and has been buoyed by Justin Verlander pitching like an ace in his return to the Astros.nn• [Altuve’s big presence has Astros at height of their game](https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-altuve-delivering-in-big-way-for-astros)nn“We’ve been there and achieved that for a very long time, the previous seven years,” nearer Ryan Pressly mentioned. “I think this is kind of when we turn it on. This team, we’re built to win championships and to go deep in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there, and we’ve just got to string good innings and good at-bats together and just keep doing what we’re doing right now and things will take off.”nn– _Brian McTaggart_nn*****nn**RANGERS (75-58)**nn**Playoff odds (FanGraphs):** 71.1% n**Division title odds:** 14.6% n**Record vs. SEA:** 5-1 n**Record vs. HOU:** 4-6 n**Remaining schedule:** 3 vs MIN; 3 vs HOU; 3 vs OAK; 4 at TOR; 3 at CLE; 3 vs BOS; 3 vs SEA; 3 at LAA; 4 at SEA n**Strength of schedule:** .507 win proportion (fifteenth best/hardest in MLB)nnThe Rangers’ largest lead atop the division rose to six 1/2 video games on June 23. But final week, following an eight-game shedding streak, they fell behind for the primary time since April.nnEvery staff Texas performs in September besides Oakland is theoretically nonetheless in playoff rivalry. The Rangers might want to play on the prime of their recreation in the event that they wish to win the division for the primary time since 2016.”,”kind”:”textual content”,”__typename”:”Video”,”contentDate”:”2023-08-27T01:40:28.51Z”,”preferredPlaybackScenarioURL(“preferredPlaybacks”:”mp4AvcPlayback”)”:”https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/26/1b5264c5-693fd554-5c89baf6-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4″,”type”:”video”,”description”:”Max Scherzer strikes out 10 over seven innings in his begin towards the Twins”,”showAsVideoGif”:false,”length”:”00:01:02″,”slug”:”max-scherzer-s-ten-strikeouts”,”tags”:[“__typename”:”GameTag”,”__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-140″,”title”:”Texas Rangers”,”team”:”__ref”:”Team:140″,”type”:”team”,”__typename”:”PersonTag”,”slug”:”playerid-453286″,”title”:”Max Scherzer”,”person”:”__ref”:”Person:453286″,”type”:”player”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”in-game-highlight”,”title”:”in-game highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight”,”title”:”highlight”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”game-action-tracking”,”title”:”game action tracking”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”pitching”,”title”:”pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”highlight-reel-starting-pitching”,”title”:”highlight reel starting pitching”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”imagen-feed”,”title”:”Imagen feed”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”samsung-vod”,”title”:”Samsung VOD”,”type”:”taxonomy”],”thumbnail”:”__typename”:”Thumbnail”,”templateUrl”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/formatInstructions/mlb/bfnac0ece5rdfdmnlvrl”,”title”:”Max Scherzer’s 10 strikeouts”,”relativeSiteUrl”:”/video/max-scherzer-s-ten-strikeouts”,”__typename”:”Markdown”,”content”:”“I’ll be honest, I don’t want to look at [the standings] because of how we’re playing right now,” Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy mentioned. “Now, if you’re winning, playing great baseball, you’re probably going to look a little bit more, but right now we have to worry about what’s going on with us. And it hasn’t been going very well, let’s be honest.nn“This has been a really tough stretch in all facets. So what’s the point of looking at other scores, if we don’t win? It doesn’t matter. So we’ve got to win ballgames. But it’s human nature to look, so I’m sure guys are looking. But it’s not going to do you any good if a team in your division loses and you can’t win a game.”nn– _Kennedi Landry_”,”kind”:”textual content”],”contentType”:”news”,”subHeadline”:null,”abstract”:”There’s nonetheless a full month remaining and far can occur or change within the grand postseason image. But at this price, it certain seems to be just like the American League West race goes to come back right down to the very last video games of the season.nEntering Thursday, when all three groups have been”,”tagline(“formatString”:”none”)”:null,”tags”:[“__typename”:”InternalTag”,”slug”:”storytype-article”,”title”:”Article”,”type”:”article”,”__typename”:”ContributorTag”,”slug”:”daniel-kramer”,”title”:”Daniel Kramer”,”type”:”contributor”,”__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-136″,”title”:”Seattle Mariners”,”team”:”__ref”:”Team:136″,”type”:”team”,”__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-117″,”title”:”Houston Astros”,”team”:”__ref”:”Team:117″,”type”:”team”,”__typename”:”TeamTag”,”slug”:”teamid-140″,”title”:”Texas Rangers”,”team”:”__ref”:”Team:140″,”type”:”team”,”__typename”:”TaxonomyTag”,”slug”:”apple-news”,”title”:”Apple News”,”type”:”taxonomy”],”kind”:”story”,”thumbnail”:”https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/formatInstructions/mlb/lwginbp11q5nwuspvqf7″,”title”:”AL West race traditionally shut”}},”Team:136″:”__typename”:”Team”,”id”:136,”Person:677594″:”__typename”:”Person”,”id”:677594,”Team:117″:”__typename”:”Team”,”id”:117,”Person:434378″:”__typename”:”Person”,”id”:434378,”Team:140″:”__typename”:”Team”,”id”:140,”Person:453286″:”__typename”:”Person”,”id”:453286}}
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12 minutes in the past
There’s nonetheless a full month remaining and far can occur or change within the grand postseason image. But at this price, it certain seems to be just like the American League West race goes to come back right down to the very last video games of the season.
Entering Thursday, when all three groups have been off, the Mariners and Astros have been tied for first place, with the Rangers only one recreation behind, making this — traditionally — one of many tightest division races this late within the season. Seattle and Houston are additionally tied for the second AL Wild Card spot, 5 1/2 video games again of the Rays, who maintain the highest spot, whereas Texas occupies the ultimate playoff seed.
(Technically, Seattle holds a slight edge over Houston with a .571 profitable proportion, in comparison with the Astros’ .570 whereas having performed in two fewer video games, however for all intents and functions, it’s a digital tie)
That mentioned, that is the primary time for the reason that implementation of three divisions within the AL and NL in 1994 that three groups have been inside one recreation of first place getting into September. Diving deeper, solely twice prior since divisions have been put in in 1969, when there have been two per league, has there been a minimum of three groups inside that standards (1980 NL East and 1969 NL West). (Special hat tip to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs for the analysis to substantiate these figures.)
Making this race much more thrilling is that the season’s last 10 days will function the Mariners dealing with Texas seven occasions and Houston thrice, a stretch that can nearly actually impression playoff seeding for all groups.
Before we take a look at every staff, right here’s an explainer on how a possible tiebreaker would work if all three completed with the identical document after 162 video games:
- If one staff completed with a greater head-to-head document vs. every of the opposite two groups, then that staff can be the AL West champion. As of now that’s not the case, which underscores simply how shut this race is. Texas leads Seattle, 5-1 (seven video games remaining between these two), Seattle leads Houston, 8-2 (three video games remaining) and Houston leads Texas, 6-4 (three video games remaining).
- If that have been to stay the case, with every staff holding a greater head-to-head document over each other, then the tiebreaker can be decided by mixed document amongst the tied groups. As of now, Texas is 9-7 (.563 win proportion), Seattle is 9-7 (.563) and Houston is 8-12 (.400). In this case, the Rangers can be the division winner, since they’re tied with the Mariners and at present have a greater head-to-head document towards Seattle.
- If a Wild Card spot additionally factored into this three-way tie, then Seattle would obtain that place due to its head-to-head-record vs. Houston.
Here’s an outlook on every staff the remainder of the way in which:
Playoff odds (FanGraphs): 86.3%
Division title odds: 32.3%
Record vs. TEX: 1-5
Record vs. HOU: 8-2
Remaining schedule: 3 at NYM, 3 at CIN, 4 at TB, 3 vs. LAA, 3 vs. LAD, 3 at OAK, 3, at TEX, 3 vs. HOU, 4 vs. TEX
Strength of schedule: .524 win proportion (seventh-hardest in MLB)
After spending nearly all the first 4 months taking one step ahead then one other again, the Mariners have been the AL’s hottest staff for over a month. Seattle spent 23 days this yr at .500 — which remains to be an MLB excessive — but it surely hasn’t been even within the standings since July 24, when it was 50-50 and eight 1/2 video games out of first and 5 1/2 video games out of the ultimate AL Wild Card spot.
Would the Mariners have most well-liked to get going earlier? Of course. But with a conviction to their course of and longstanding belief between gamers and coaches, Seattle has not wavered.
“It’s going to be a wild, wild race for sure,” supervisor Scott Servais mentioned. “And that is fun. Every game means something. And you look back a couple of months ago, and at the time, you’re thinking, ‘Oh gosh, what do we have to do to get those games in September to be important?’ Guess what — we did enough to make them important, really important. … That’s what baseball is about in September.”
The greatest element to their turnaround has been Julio Rodríguez enjoying like an MVP, hitting .429/.474/.724 (1.198 OPS) with seven homers, 10 doubles, 30 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in August. And a lingering nerve challenge in his left foot that sidelined him the ultimate two video games of the month may hinge closely on their postseason pursuit.
Playoff odds (FanGraphs): 94.5%
Division title odds: 53.1%
Record vs. SEA: 2-8
Record vs. TEX: 6-4
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. NYY, 3 at TEX, 3 vs. SD, 3 vs. OAK, 3 at KC, 3 vs. BAL, 3 vs. KC, 3 at SEA, 3 at ARI
Strength of schedule: .459 win proportion (tied for third-easiest in MLB)
The Astros’ probabilities to win their sixth division title within the final seven years have improved with a five-game profitable streak, which they capped with a sweep of the Red Sox on Wednesday. Following three video games at dwelling this weekend towards the Yankees and a vital three-game collection on the Rangers starting Monday, Houston’s schedule turns into actually favorable.
The defending World Series champs have six video games remaining towards the last-place Royals, three video games remaining towards the last-place A’s and three video games with the Padres, who’re in fourth place within the NL West. They’ll host Baltimore, the first-place staff within the AL East, throughout that stretch, however Houston received three of 4 in Baltimore in August.
The Astros battled accidents for a lot of the season with star offensive gamers Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez lacking prolonged intervals, and veteran outfielder Michael Brantley lastly accomplished his return from shoulder surgical procedure and made his 2023 debut on Tuesday. Houston is as wholesome because it’s been all season and has been buoyed by Justin Verlander pitching like an ace in his return to the Astros.
“We’ve been there and done that for a long time, the past seven years,” nearer Ryan Pressly mentioned. “I think this is kind of when we turn it on. This team, we’re built to win championships and to go deep in the playoffs. We know what it takes to get there, and we’ve just got to string good innings and good at-bats together and just keep doing what we’re doing right now and things will take off.”
Playoff odds (FanGraphs): 71.1%
Division title odds: 14.6%
Record vs. SEA: 5-1
Record vs. HOU: 4-6
Remaining schedule: 3 vs MIN; 3 vs HOU; 3 vs OAK; 4 at TOR; 3 at CLE; 3 vs BOS; 3 vs SEA; 3 at LAA; 4 at SEA
Strength of schedule: .507 win proportion (fifteenth best/hardest in MLB)
The Rangers’ largest lead atop the division rose to six 1/2 video games on June 23. But final week, following an eight-game shedding streak, they fell behind for the primary time since April.
Every staff Texas performs in September besides Oakland is theoretically nonetheless in playoff rivalry. The Rangers might want to play on the prime of their recreation in the event that they wish to win the division for the primary time since 2016.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t want to look at [the standings] because of how we’re playing right now,” Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy mentioned. “Now, in the event you’re profitable, enjoying nice baseball, you’re in all probability going to look just a little bit extra, however proper now now we have to fret about what is going on on with us. And it hasn’t been going very effectively, let’s be sincere.
“This has been a really tough stretch in all facets. So what’s the point of looking at other scores, if we don’t win? It doesn’t matter. So we’ve got to win ballgames. But it’s human nature to look, so I’m sure guys are looking. But it’s not going to do you any good if a team in your division loses and you can’t win a game.”
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