With the Rays getting swept by the Athletics and the Red Sox sweeping the White Sox, the races in the AL are down to Texas and Oakland playing for the AL West/First Wild card, and the five team race for the second wild card slot. Yes, the Rays could catch the Red Sox, as they have three more games head to head, but Boston is a very good team and I expect them to play well enough down the stretch to win the division.

So as of tonight, 5 1/2 games separate the Rays from the Royals with the Orioles, Yankees, and Indians all 3 to 3 1/2 games back. The Rays have seven games in a row against the Orioles and the Yankees toward the end of the month. Baltimore plays Cleveland starting tomorrow, as well as the Yankees and Rays. The Indians and Royals play each other six times, but the Royals are going to need the most help from outside forces. They have to hope that the Orioles, Rays, and Yankees split their series while the Royals go on a winning streak that would let them gain on everyone.

Of course, I would love to see a massive tie for the second slot. That can happen with the Royals going 23-3 and the Rays going 18-9, and the other three teams each winning 21 games. We’ll know know about the massive tie possibilities in a week.