As some teams get removed from contention, others enjoy seeing their magic numbers shrink. Entering Wednesday's action, the elimination numbers from some teams have reduced significantly, while first-place squads are trying to clinch their divisions. Check out who's still alive in the MLB standings as the month of August is almost coming to a close.
Houston Astros: E
The Astros are officially pulling up to the gas station. They will be running on E as they were eliminated from divisional contention on Tuesday. They still have some life in reserve as their Wild Card elimination number is currently 2. 2014 will be another year, but 2015 might be a little more realistic as the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's continue to dominate the A.L. West.
St. Louis Cardinals: Magic #30
Okay, this is a bit laughable. It's all for jokes. The N.L. Central is the toughest division in baseball. The Cardinals have the slimmest lead in the standings over the Pittsburgh Pirates (1.5 games) and there's still plenty of baseball left to play. The Pirates are struggling, while the Cardinals are putting things together after struggling at the end of July and beginning of August.
Miami Marlins: Elimination #3
As the Atlanta Braves keep roaring past everybody in the standings, the Marlins are taking the heat. They are 49-81 and just three losses away from officially getting eliminated from the standings.
Atlanta Braves: Magic #19
The Braves have the smallest magic number of any active first-place team in baseball. They also have the best record in baseball and after struggling for some time now, they are on a baby winning-streak, getting victories in two consecutive games. Any Braves win coupled with a Washington Nationals' loss, will shrink the elimination number for Atlanta.
Chicago White Sox: Elimination #10
At 55-76, the hottest team in the A.L. Central is doing everything they can to prevent the official death of their season. They have won 8 of 10 and are catching a break as the Detroit Tigers are struggling.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Magic #23
The Dodgers still have some ways to go. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks are their only competition in the west. The Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are all playing sub-.500 baseball this year, so their dreams of playoff baseball are all done.
