MLB Playoff Picture Update 9/22: The Rockies pull closer in the west

American League East

The Red Sox have clinched the American League East.

American League Central

The Indians have clinched the American League Central.

American League West

The Astros control their own destiny in the AL West, though they do have Oakland sneaking around behind them just in case Houston can’t take care of their own business. Houston did take care of business on Friday, handing the Angels their second consecutive blowout loss against AL West contenders. This time, they got seven RBI and a pair of homers from Yuli Gurriel to help launch them to an 11-3 win. Oakland was able to keep pace, though, with another exciting win. They were forced into extras against the Twins, but in the bottom of the tenth Khris Davis hit another clutch homer, walking it off and giving the A’s a 7-6 win. So, Houston still has a 3.5-game lead in the division, with a magic number of six.

American League Wildcard

With their victory, the A’s made it even less likely that anyone besides Oakland and New York plays in the Wildcard Game. Tampa Bay did crush the Blue Jays with an 11-3 win, but Oakland still has a magic number of three to clinch a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the real race is for home field in this potential game. We know Oakland got the win, but unfortunately for them so did the Yankees. New York’s bullpen tried to make it interesting against the Orioles, but ultimately the offense gave them enough for a two-run win. They still have a slim 1.5-game lead over the A’s for home field.

Current AL Playoff Picture

E: Red Sox* (1)

C: Indians* (3)

W: Astros (2)

WC1: Yankees (4)

WC2: Athletics (5)

*-Clinched

National League East

Another day, and the Braves are even closer to wrapping this thing up in the NL East. It looked like this was going to be a close race to the end, but the Phillies have totally collapsed late in the year. Atlanta had a big five-run seventh to complete a comeback and five them a 6-5 victory over Philadelphia. With the win, their magic number is down to two, and if the Braves win on Saturday then the division is officially there.

National League Central

The Cubs are taking on their crosstown rival in an interleague matchup this weekend. Things did not get off to the start they were hoping for. The White Sox got to Jose Quintana early and Reynaldo Lopez dominated. The Cubs went down 10-4 in the first game of this series. So, that gave Milwaukee the chance to take advantage. It didn’t look good early when they went down against the Pirates before the game was delayed. After they resumed, however, the Brewers got a six-run sixth and they ended up with a five-run win. The Cardinals also picked up a game in the division thanks to a clutch, two-run double from Matt Adams to lift St. Louis over the Giants. With all of this, the Brewers have cut their deficit in the division down to 1.5 games, while the Cardinals now trail by 4.5 games.

National League West

The Dodgers are riding high after a big sweep over the Rockies to take control of the division, and now they control their own destiny to run away with it. They didn’t get off to a good start. The Padres wanted to get some of their young players into meaningful September games, even if it wasn’t meaningful for them, and they played well. San Diego beat Los Angeles 5-3. Colorado was able to take advantage of it while simultaneously pushing Arizona further out of the playoff chase. The Rockies rallied in the eighth in the desert and picked up a four-run win against the Diamondbacks. So, the Dodgers do still lead, but that lead is down to 1.5 games.

National League Wildcard

As has been the case for the better part of the month, the NL Wildcard race is still being dominated by the NL Central. Both the Brewers and Cardinals won on Friday, so Milwaukee still controls the top seed with a three-game lead over St. Louis for home field in a potential wildcard game. The Rockies are really the only other team in contention, trailing the Cardinals by 1.5 games.

Current NL Playoff Picture

E: Braves (2)

C: Cubs (1)

W: Dodgers (3)

WC1: Brewers (4)

WC2: Cardinals (5)