A Guide to the 2005 American League Playoff Race - The Final Week

Today, Monday September 26th marks the final week of MLB regular season - one that could reveal the most exciting finish in years. After yesterday's comeback win by the Yankees (over the Blue Jays), the Red Sox romp of the Orioles, the White Sox win, and the Indians demoralizing 9th inning loss to the KC Royals - the Red Sox and Yankees are tied atop the AL East, the White Sox are 2.5 games up on Cleveland, the Angels are all but secured in their division and the Indians lead the wild card by 0.5 games. Pretty tight finish! Here is your guide to the last 7 days - which recap with a fantastic 3 day weekend:

AL EAST

You had to know it would be the Yankees and Red Sox in a dead heat for the playoffs. Both teams are remarkably injured - pitching staffs are hurt, bats are hurt, Foulke is done for the season - etc. The Yankees play a four-game series in Baltimore while the Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays: advantage to the Red Sox for getting to play the homestand, but the Orioles are the much easier opponent. Unless one team sweeps and the other is swept - it will come down to a three-game series in Boston. Yankees vs. Red Sox in Fenway for the playoffs... pretty exciting.

American League East
BOSTON
Games Remaining: 7 (Home: 7; Away: 0)
Opponents' Winning Percentage: .539
    
NEW YORK
Games Remaining: 7 (Home: 0; Away: 7)
Opponents' Winning Percentage: .519

AL CENTRAL

The White Sox had a 15 game lead on August 1st - but the surging Indians (behind Travis Haffner's bat) brought it to a 1.5 game difference until the Indians lost to the Kansas City Royals on a simple outfielding error in the 9th inning last night. That error gave the White Sox an extra game in the standings and some room to breath. But not much because, like the AL East, this division ends with a clash of the two leaders: Chicago in Cleveland. If the White Sox lead is down to three or less - that three-game series will be for the AL Central. The White Sox have the tougher draw until then though - The White Sox are visiting Detroit for four games while the Indians are hosting Tampa Bay for just three. That extra day of rest could be critical at this juncture in the season.


American League Central
CHICAGO
Games Remaining: 7 (Home: 0; Away: 7)
Opponents' Winning Percentage: .518

CLEVELAND
Games Remaining: 6 (Home: 6; Away: 0)
Opponents' Winning Percentage: .511

AL WILD CARD

Even in Cleveland can't comeback in the AL Central - which would be a historic feat - they are still leading the AL Wild Card as of today. They are up 0.5 games on the Red Sox and Yankees - though both teams can tie that race up tonight as Cleveland has the night off. All four teams - the Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees and Indians - will beat eachother up and I suspect that there will be no sweeps in either of the season-ending series. So it could come down to the team that goes 2/3 in that last series.

My Projections:

• AL West: Angels are already a lock to win the AL West
• AL East: Red Sox
• AL Central: White Sox
• Wild Card: Cleveland Indians

Enjoy the last week of the season - it should be special! And if you're lucky enough to get some tickets, get me a souvenier.


I am an eBay employee and this guide reflects my personal views and is not written on behalf of the eBay company