MLB Playoff Push: Streaking Seattle Mariners shake up AL wild-card race

The Seattle Mariners entered the weekend on a three-game win streak, eyeing a chance to shake issues up within the American League wild-card race with a pivotal three-game collection towards the Houston Astros.

Three wins later, they’re definitely doing simply that. Seattle’s sweeping of the Astros — which included a 10-run exhibiting on Saturday — gained them essential floor on the membership, which now holds onto its second-place AL West place by a thread. Seattle is now only one win shy of matching Houston’s present 70-55 document, whereas their .556 win proportion sees them simply barely edge out the Toronto Blue Jays (.552) for the third wild card spot heading into Monday night’s motion.

And now, they’ve an opportunity to maintain on rolling — thanks each to their sizzling bats and a fairly beneficial schedule.

Seattle’s subsequent 4 opponents are nowhere close to the playoff race. After their three-game collection in Chicago towards the White Sox, which opens Monday evening, the Mariners host three video games towards each the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics, adopted by a three-game stint towards the Mets in New York.

September is quick approaching. Let’s examine in on the AL image to see the place issues stand following an eventful weekend.

IF THE POST-SEASON STARTED TODAY

No. 1 and AL East-Leading Baltimore Orioles (77-47): Bye

No. 2 and AL West-leading Texas Rangers (72-52): Bye

No. 3 and AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins (65-60) vs. No. 6 Seattle Mariners (69-55)

No. 4 Tampa Bay Rays (75-51) vs. No. 5 Houston Astros (70-55)

WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE

The New York Yankees’ current skid, which has seen them lose eight straight video games and 9 of their final 10 to fall to the underside of the AL East, has made room for groups just like the Boston Red Sox (66-58) and Los Angeles Angels (61-64) to get in on the dialog. Boston took benefit of the Yankees’ struggles — and made up for a few of their very own — with a three-game collection sweep in New York whereas the Angels couldn’t hold tempo with the Rays. L.A. emerged from their weekend collection towards Tampa Bay with only one win and a bruised ego after the Rays put up a whopping 18 runs on Saturday alone.

While it’s price maintaining a tally of issues in L.A. and Boston, it’s the Toronto Blue Jays which can be the closest to catching up with Seattle and Houston for a wild-card spot. The Blue Jays emerge from their weekend collection towards Cincinnati with a pair of wins, together with Sunday’s 10-3 victory led by starter Hyun-jin Ryu, a powerful bullpen and a few vitality on offence to the tune of 10 runs and back-to-back homers for the fourth time this yr.

LOOKING AT THE WILD CARD RACE THIS WEEK

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays are already wanting fairly comfy atop the AL wild-card race, and have the prospect to provide themselves a good greater cushion. Fresh off profitable their three-game collection towards L.A. over the weekend, Tampa now hosts the 48-76 Rockies adopted by three video games towards the Yankees.

Houston Astros: Houston’s certainly feeling the warmth after three straight defeats towards Seattle. How they recuperate towards what will probably be a determined Red Sox staff will inform us loads about how this wild-card race may form up within the weeks to return.

Seattle Mariners: Can the White Sox cool off Seattle’s sizzling bats? That’s a tricky project, particularly contemplating simply how nicely the Mariners have been hitting of late — we’re taking a look at you, Julio Rodriguez. If they will prolong their win streak towards a Chicago staff that’s miles exterior the playoff race, the Mariners may bounce into the second wild card spot by week’s finish.

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Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays’ offence has been a rollercoaster experience all season and now faces a tall order as Toronto visits the AL’s high staff, the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays are off Monday evening earlier than the Battle of the Birds begins Tuesday — a collection that has huge ramifications for Toronto’s playoff hopes. This three-game collection will probably be these golf equipment’ remaining assembly of the season, with the Blue Jays seeking to enhance their 2-8 season document towards Baltimore.

Boston Red Sox: If the Red Sox are to maintain tempo within the wild card race, it received’t be a simple feat. First up is a three-game date towards a Houston Astros squad seeking to proper the wrongs of their collection towards Seattle, adopted by a collection towards the L.A. Dodgers.

Los Angeles Angels: Can the Angels make a run? If they will, it’ll have to begin with a powerful exhibiting towards a Cincinnati Reds staff that’s within the combine within the NL.

PLAYOFF ODDS REPORT

Here is what FanGraphs and Baseball Reference are projecting, as of Monday morning, by way of playoff odds amongst AL groups battling for post-season spots.

Baltimore’s FanGraphs odds: 99.3% | Baltimore’s Baseball Reference odds: 99.9%

Texas’ FanGraphs odds: 83.2% | Texas’ Baseball Reference odds: 94.5%

Minnesota’s FanGraphs odds: 95% | Minnesota’s Baseball Reference odds: 91.8%

Tampa Bay’s FanGraphs odds: 96.9% | Tampa Bay’s Baseball Reference odds: 97.1%

Houston’s FanGraphs odds: 79.8% | Houston’s Baseball Reference odds: 64.0%

Toronto’s FanGraphs odds: 64.7% | Toronto’s Baseball Reference odds: 65.7%

Seattle’s FanGraphs odds: 59.4% | Seattle’s Baseball Reference odds: 69.7%

Boston’s FanGraphs odds: 15.8% | Boston’s Baseball Reference odds: 8.7%

New York’s FanGraphs odds: 0.5% | New York’s Baseball Reference odds: 0.2%

Los Angeles’ FanGraphs odds: 0.5% | Los Angeles’s Baseball Reference odds: 0.1%

Cleveland’s FanGraphs odds: 3.8% | Cleveland’s Baseball Reference odds: 5.9%

More from Sportsnet

Blue Jays Notebook: Last likelihood vs. Orioles earlier than it’s wild card or bust

MLB Roundup: AL wild-card race stays tight as Mariners, Red Sox, Blue Jays win

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