Playoff Picture: Giants swept by Padres, lose grasp on top NL wild-card spot
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Every night we take a look around the league and recap pennant and wild card races in baseball.
Here's a look at how Sunday's slate affected the playoff picture in the majors:
American League
- The Baltimore Orioles previously clinched the AL East.
AL Central | Record | GB | Games Left |
---|---|---|---|
Tigers | 86-69 | - | 7 |
Royals | 84-70 | 1.5 | 8 |
- The Kansas City Royals salvaged the final contest of a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers to remain alive in the division race. The Royals also have a game in hand heading into the final week of the regular season as they need to complete a previously suspended game Monday vs. the Cleveland Indians.
- The Los Angeles Angels previously clinched the AL West.
AL Wild Card | Record | GB | Games Left |
---|---|---|---|
Athletics | 85-70 | 0.5 | 7 |
Royals | 84-70 | - | 8 |
Mariners | 83-72 | 1.5 | 7 |
Indians | 81-74 | 3.5 | 7 |
Yankees | 80-75 | 4.5 | 7 |
- The Seattle Mariners were the only team in contention to suffer a loss on Sunday - their second in as many days to the Houston Astros. Seattle falls 1 1/2 games back of the final wild-card spot with a four-game series looming in Toronto with the Blue Jays.
- The Oakland Athletics maintained their lead on the top wild-card spot thanks to a walk-off two-run homer from Josh Donaldson in the 10th inning vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.
If the playoffs started today...
Wild Card: Royals at Athletics
Division Series: Wild Card at Angels, Tigers at Orioles
National League
- The Washington Nationals previously clinched the NL East.
NL Central | Record | GB | Games Left |
---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 87-69 | - | 6 |
Pirates | 84-71 | 2.5 | 7 |
- The Cardinals clinched a playoff berth with the Pittsburgh Pirates' 1-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, but their magic number remains at five after falling to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday night.
NL West | Record | GB | Games Left |
---|---|---|---|
Dodgers | 89-67 | - | 6 |
Giants | 84-71 | 4.5 | 7 |
- The Dodgers dispatched the lowly Cubs, while the Giants suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the equally as lowly Padres with a loss. San Francisco must sweep its upcoming three-game set with L.A. beginning Monday in order to close the 4 1/2-game gap in the division. The Dodgers' magic number is three.
NL Wild Card | Record | GB | Games Left |
---|---|---|---|
Pirates | 84-71 | - | 7 |
Giants | 84-71 | - | 7 |
Brewers | 80-76 | 4.5 | 6 |
- The Giants lose their grip on the top wild-card position, setting up a battle with the Pirates in the final week for home advantage in a potential play-in game.
- The Brewers are on life support after getting shut out by the Pirates. Pittsburgh and San Francisco both have a game in hand, which doesn't bode well for Milwaukee's slim playoff hopes.
If the playoffs started today...
Wild Card: Giants at Pirates
Division Series: Wild Card at Nationals, Cardinals at Dodgers
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