The MLB playoffs standings are taking shape for 2015, as division leaders and wild card contenders like the NY Yankees, Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Pirates, Dodgers and Kansas City Royals all look like they will be in. The Yankees and Jays are starting a series that could decide the AL East, while the Rangers have pushed ahead in the AL West over the Houston Astros.
The division races across baseball are mostly set, but there are a few that could get interesting in the next week. The Yankees and the Blue Jays are about to start a series and the Yanks are just 2.5 games back of Toronto. This could help decide the series, as the Jays could win two or three games and push the Yankees back, of New York could make things even closer.
The Yankees have a solid lead for the first wild card and should make it barring a collapse, but the team does not want to fall out of contention for the division if they have the chance. The Yankees and the Jays are the only teams left contending in the AL East. The other American League race that is close has the Texas Rangers leading the Houston Astros by 1.5 games heading into the back stretch. The Astros have slumped abut lately and while they are in good position for the wild card, the Twins and Angels are close.
The NL has one divisional race that is close and it's not really all that close, as the St. Louis Cardinals have a four game lead over the Pirates in the National League central. It looks like it will be the Cubs and Pirates for the wild card and the game would be in Pittsburgh right now if the season ended. The Cubs are two games back of the Pirates and that is another race to follow down the home stretch.
The Cardinals have already clinched a playoff berth, while the Kansas City Royals have all but wrapped up the AL Central this season. The Dodgers have a commanding lead over the Giants, while the Mets put away the Nationals last week and look like they will win the NL East. The AL wild card has the Yankees in the top spot over the Astros, while the Twins and Angels are two games back of Houston. The NL Wild card is set with the Cubs and Pirates, but the final weeks will determine where that game will be played.
