The results are in for Major League Baseball games for Saturday September 29th and the standings have been updated. However when it comes to the playoffs fans of several American League (AL) teams still don't know what's in store even though most teams only have four games remaining in their schedules. No division is clinched in the AL and there are still eight teams that could represent the American League in the World Series this fall.
If the playoffs started today the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers would be into the divisional round while the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles would be tied atop the AL East. The Oakland Athletics would still have a chance to see a divisional series although they would need to beat either the Yankees or the Orioles to get through the Wild Card Showdown (playoff picture). Fans of the multitude of teams still in contention will no doubt be playing close attention to the games scheduled for Sunday September 30th.
Action is scheduled to start in the early afternoon on Sunday with the Los Angeles Angels facing the Texas Rangers in game one of a double header. The Rangers have not yet locked up the AL West but with a 2.5 game lead over Oakland, Texas should be feeling a little bit secure. The Angels, on the other hand, would be eliminated from contention in the AL West with a loss on Sunday, whether in game one of their doubleheader or in game two.
Probable pitchers for Los Angeles in games one (1:05pm ET) and two (7:05pm ET) are Zack Greinke (15-5, 3.42) and Ervin Santana (9-12, 4.93) respectively (all probable pitchers throughout are according to MLB.com). The Rangers will counter with Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90) and Derek Holland (11-6, 4.50). Should LA lose both games they could be out of the post-season contention entirely, even just for a wild card spot.
The Yankees remain in Toronto on Sunday where they will look to bounce back after dropping a game to the Blue Jays. Phil Hughes (16-13, 4.10) will get the start for the Yanks (1:07pm ET) while Toronto will send out Henderson Alvarez (9-14, 4.91). Following their series with the Jays, New York will then host Boston. Although the Red Sox are out of contention, you have to think that they would love to act as a spoiler for New York, the longstanding rival of the Bo Sox.
The Baltimore Orioles will be looking to at least stay in stride with New York on Sunday when the O's complete their own series against the Red Sox (1:35pm ET). Zach Stewart (1-3, 7.91) is the probable starter for Boston while Joe Saunders (8-13, 4.09) is the probable starter for Baltimore. The Orioles should be relishing their opportunity to take some 'BP' against an ineffective pitcher in Stewart before completing their regular season on the road against the Rays.
Other contenders in action include the Detroit Tigers, the Rays, the White Sox, and the Athletics. Detroit, two games up on Chicago in the Central division, will be in Minnesota to conclude their series (2:10pm ET). The Rays and White Sox, still in contention for the post-season but fading, will square off from Chicago (2:10pm ET). In Oakland, the Athletics will be looking to prevent the Rays or the Angels from gaining ground in the wild card race with a sweep of Seattle.
Looking ahead the last regular season games are scheduled for October 3rd, the Wild Card Showdown is scheduled for October 5th, and the divisional series will start on October 6th.