The A.L. Wild Card standings saw a huge change over the weekend. It was only matter of time before the Texas Rangers' struggles caught up to them. The Cleveland Indians were applying pressure to top teams in the A.L. Central and the A.L. Wild Card. They finally broke through the seam and are currently the second team in the A.L. Wild Card standings. Who else is alive? Plenty of teams, but they might have run out of time.
Tampa Bay Rays: (86-69)
After winning three straight against the divisional and Wild Card foe, Baltimore Orioles, the Rays have kept themselves at the top of the Wild Card standings. They have pushed the O's to the brink, taking their elimination number down to just three. The Rays are far from secure at the top, but they have been playing very well as of late.
Cleveland Indians: (86-70)
The Indians are trying to do what the Los Angeles Dodgers accomplished, only they probably will not win their division. The Indians made a ton of moves during the offseason, acquiring free agents, shelling big bucks to have them on their rosters. Their moves appear to have paid off as the Indians have won four straight and their schedule only becaomes easier in the final week of the season. Cleveland has been one of the better teams in baseball in the final month of the season and with a few more wins, they can secure their place in the A.L. Wild Card Game.
The following teams are still alive based on the numbers. However, if the Rays and Indians continue playing great baseball, those elimination numbers will continue to take a dip.
Texas Rangers (84-71) 1.5 GB, WC Elimination #6
Kansas City Royals (82-73) 3.5 GB, WC Elimination #4
New York Yankees (82-74) 4.0 GB, WC Elimination #3
Baltimore Orioles (81-74) 4.5 GB, WC Elimination #3
Some teams have five games left, others have six games left this week, explaining the half game differential. It should be a great final week in 2013. Check back with Sports World Report as we will keep you posted will all the latest changes that take place in the A.L. Wild Card.