Playoff percentages: Angels gain ground, scuffling Cubs falter again
Through the remainder of the regular season, we'll take a look at how the night's action impacts the playoff races, highlighting which teams' postseason odds went up or down significantly.
The Los Angeles Angels aren't going to squander another superb season from Mike Trout on, er, Mike Trout's watch.
Propelled by a first-inning solo shot from their superhuman center fielder, the Angels - looking for their first postseason berth since 2014 - salvaged their three-game set at Safeco Field with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners that brought them within one game of the Minnesota Twins, whose grasp on the second American League wild-card spot grew more tenuous with a second consecutive loss.
As a nine-game homestand looms, the Angels' playoff odds sit a 22.3 percent, buoyed 8.8 points by Sunday's victory, while the Twins' loss reduced their chances of making the postseason to 46.6 percent, an 8.4-point drop.
In the National League, meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs' playoff hopes took a beating Sunday at Wrigley Field, where the reigning champs watched their postseason odds drop a whopping 11.8 percent with a third straight loss to the relentless Milwaukee Brewers. Now just two games back of first in the National League Central, the Brewers' playoffs odds jumped 5.1 points, to 22.9 percent, with Sunday's sweep.
American League
| Team | Result | Playoff Pct | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angels | W 5-3 vs. Mariners | 22.3% | +8.8% |
| Rangers | L 16-7 vs. Yankees | 13.4% | -3.4% |
| Twins | L 11-3 vs. Royals | 46.6% | -8.4% |
National League
| Team | Result | Playoff Pct | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewers | W 3-1 vs. Cubs | 22.9% | +5.1% |
| Rockies | W 8-1 vs. Dodgers | 78.1% | +4.5% |
| Cubs | L 3-1 vs. Brewers | 68% | -11.8% |
Visit Baseball Prospectus for playoff percentages for each team.