If The Season Ended Today
*Records based on 162-game projections*
American League
Division Champions
- Cleveland Indians (95-67)
- Texas Rangers (95-67)
- Toronto Blue Jays / Boston Red Sox (91-71)
Wild Card Game: Baltimore Orioles (89-73) @ Boston / Toronto (91-71)
A lot is subject to change in the American League. The AL East currently has three teams within three games of first place, the Seattle Mariners are not completely written off in the West at 5.5 games back, and the wild card race features five teams breathing down Baltimore’s neck — the Orioles currently hold the final playoff spot.
National League
Division Champions
- Chicago Cubs (103-59)
- Washington Nationals (95-67)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (90-72)
Wild Card Game: St. Louis Cardinals (87-75) @ San Francisco Giants (89-73)
The National League, on the other hand, is much more solidified and sturdy. In other words, there is a high chance someone with little knowledge of baseball can write down the aforementioned teams, and all of them will be in the same position when the season ends.
The Nationals maintain an eight-game lead in the East and the Cubs have all but put away the Central with a 12-game cushion. Additionally, all signs are pointing to the NL West runner-up claiming the first wild card.
That, of course, leads to the undecided races. The Dodgers and Giants are within a game of each other in their battle for the West, and the second and final Wild Card spot, just like the American League, is wide open. The Marlins, Pirates, and Mets all have fighting chances with the Cardinals gaining the upper-hand at this point.
