AL wild-card breakdown: What to know in race for postseason
Yankees manager Aaron Boone looks on from the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays during an MLB baseball game at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It's the final days of the MLB regular season, and the Yankees sit directly on the bubble for the playoffs.
With the Rays virtually locking up the AL East, the division’s three other competitive clubs are the favorites to earn the two wild-card spots, while a pair of AL West clubs remain in the hunt as well. The two wild-cards will earn a date with each other for a chance at the AL’s top seed, likely also the Rays, in the ALDS.
Here’s a breakdown of the AL wild-card picture following action on Wednesday, Sept. 22:
Boston Red Sox
Record: 88-65 (.575 winning percentage)
Wild-card position: Spot No. 1 (2 games ahead)
Games remaining: 9 (3 home, 6 away)
Final opponents: Yankees (3); at Orioles (3); at Nationals (3)
Opponents' combined winning percentage: .431
Yankees
Record: 86-67 (.562)
Wild-card position: Spot No. 2
Games remaining: 9 (3 home, 6 away)
Final opponents: at Red Sox (3); at Blue Jays (3); Rays (3)
Opponents' combined winning percentage: .583
Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 85-67 (.559)
Wild-card position: ½ game back
Games remaining: 10 (6 home, 4 away)
Final opponents: at Twins (4); Yankees (3); Orioles (3)
Opponents' combined winning percentage: .440
Seattle Mariners
Record: 83-69 (.546)
Wild-card position: 2½ games back
Games remaining: 10 (6 home, 4 away)
Final opponents: at Athletics (1); at Angels (3); Athletics (3); Angels (3)
Opponents' combined winning percentage: .569
Oakland Athletics
Record: 82-70 (.539)
Wild-card position: 3½ games back
Games remaining: 10 (6 home, 6 away)
Final opponents: Mariners (1); Astros (3); at Mariners (3); at Astros (3)
Opponents' combined winning percentage: .572
More Yankees headlines
