Well, here we are... this is what MLB wanted... tight races and more teams involved.

With only 9-10 Games to go... it will be a nail biter.

Texas (10 Remaining)
KC (3)
Houston (3)
LAAA (4)

Tampa (10 Remaining)
Balt (4)
NYY (3)
Toronto (3)
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0.5 Games Behind
Cleveland (9 Remaining)
Houston (3)
ChiSox (2)
Minnesota (4)

Baltimore - 2 GB
KC - 3 GB
NYY - 3.5 GB

This weekend series could finalize the WC. After the two WC teams facing off this week, we get the two chasers face those that "are in."
Texas sweep of KC ends their dream. KC sweep of Texas, and suddenly panic sets in for Texas.
Tampa sweep of Baltimore ends their dream. Balt sweep of Tampa and Tampa may find themselves playing golf in a week, or so.

with that schedule, cleveland could make it real interesting....

Yes, Cleveland will most likely be a big factor.

2 teams I need to lose have games against the Astros.

Texas must win 1 in KC to have a decent shot in the final week.

Win 2 in KC and they are sitting in good shape.

The Tros will probably jump up and surprise the Rangers.

gotta go at least 7-3 I think (90 wins)

Agreed... Can get in with 89, but it would require some scoreboard hoping.

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gotta go at least 7-3 I think (90 wins)

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Texas would be in the tiebreaker, at least, with 90 wins unless Tampa goes 8-2 and Cleveland goes 8-1.

If they get completely shutout with 90 wins, I think you've got to say it just wasn't meant to be.

Prediction: it comes down to the series against the Angels and the Rangers get swept because God hates me and wants me to feel pain.

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The Tros will probably jump up and surprise the Rangers

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Taking 2 of 3 from Texas would be awesome

LOL...
Who controls the finish? Tampa and Houston:

Houston controls the destiny...
- Cleveland (3)
- Texas (3)
- NYY (3)

Houston could layover for Texas and beat Cle and NYY.

'come Astros... I've been cheering you on all season.

Wild Card Insanity!

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Tampa Bay - Goes 6-5 over their last 11 games (1 vs TEX, 4 vs BAL, 3 @ NYY, 3 @ TOR)

Texas - Goes 7-4 over their last 11 games (1 @ TB, 3 @ KC, 3 vs HOU, 4 vs LAA)

Cleveland goes 7-3 over their last 10 games (4 vs HOU, 2 vs CHW, 4 @ MIN)

Baltimore goes 8-3 over their last 11 games (1 @ BOS, 4 @ TB, 3 vs TOR, 3 vs BOS)

New York goes 9-1 over their last 10 games (1 @ TOR, 3 vs SF, 3 vs TB, 3 @ HOU)

Kansas City goes 9-1 over their last 10 games (3 vs TEX, 3 @ SEA, 4 @ CHW)

Here would be the final standings after 162 games:

Tampa Bay 89-73
Texas 89-73
Cleveland 89-73
Baltimore 89-73
NY Yankees 89-73
Kansas City 89-73

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As long as KC Sweeps this weekend, all is good in the world!

maybe josh will drop another fly ball in the last game of the season.......

Updated WC standings:

TB 86-69
Cle 86-70
Tex 84-71 1.5 GB
KC 82-73 3.5 GB
NYY 82-74 4 GB

Go back to Sept. 1 and the Rangers had a 2 game lead in the AL West to start the month. They've won 5 games in September.

7-0 and Texas is in.
6-1 and Texas has a good shot.
5-2 and Texas needs some help.
4-3 and Texas needs a lot of help.
Anything worse and gone fishing.

Unless Texas goes on a 7-0 tear, their best chance is likely to catch (or tie) Tampa. Cleveland's two at home vs ChiSox and 4 to close the season against Minnesota just doesn't offer much room to gain ground.

Tampa has to go to New York for 3 though -- with New York still somewhat in the hunt.

If Baltimore holds on todday (4-2 O's in the 6th) -- If Texas sweeps Houston and New York manages 2 of 3 vs Tampa, Texas would be a half-game up on Tampa going into each team's final series (TAM @ TOR for 3, TEX home vs LAA for 4)...

Go Rays and The Tribe

I just don't think Texas deserves it. Losing record versus both the other divisions. The only thing that keeps them in the mix is the overwhelming assraping of our ALWest Spare bunkmates.

This team simply is not that good.

All the other wild card teams we are chasing or are in the wild card have + records versus all divisions and leagues (Our nl split was .500 FTR)

culdeus.

The Rangers are basically fighting to see who they lose to in the WC game or the first round. There just aren't enough horses to go very far.

That said,

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7-0 and Texas is in.

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Two down, five to go.

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All the other wild card teams we are chasing or are in the wild card have + records versus all divisions and leagues (Our nl split was .500 FTR)

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Cleveland is 12-21 against the East.

Not saying they aren't more deserving, but much like Texas the reason they are in the hunt is due to their assraping of those same AL West foes.

Original Toad Boy wakes up everyday praying the Cowboys and Rangers will lose. sweet life.

looks like the Royals are the only team left that has something to fight for, and play CLE the next 3 games (Fri-Sun) in KC. Tampa Bay is playing teams that have nothing left in their tanks.

KC is playing in Chicago.

Clevleand in Minnesota.

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Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.
- Will Munny

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That's the beauty of sports. If you win more games than the opposition and you move on. If the other guy wins more then you go home. If a team doesn't make the playoffs then it just means they didn't win enough games and it doesn't mean anything more than that.

Here's hoping that the Rangers win more games than the opposing teams from here to the end of the season.

who's more deserving?

team a) 17-16 vs the al west
team b) 25-8 vs the al west

i never understand these comments, the rangers are tied for the most wins away from home right now.

Tampa and Cle won't lose

If it ended today, Fenway would host Terry Francona. Tito got the loudest ovation for the 100 year celebration!

This would be interesting!

[This message has been edited by Say chowdah (edited 9/26/2013 6:05a).]

If it ended today, tampa would play cleveland for the right to go to fenway

my bad, mhayden, browsed the schedule too quickly and looked at the wrong team. I've done that before.

Rays face eliminated Yankees then 3 in Toronto to close out the season... Just don't see them dropping 2 at this point.

Cleveland needs to drop at least one, with tonight realistically being the best shot, as Fri-Sun is bum after bum after bum:

McAllister (3.88) vs Albers (3.98)
Kluber (3.61) vs Hernandez (6.05)
Kazmir (4.14) vs De Vries (11.70)
Jimenez (3.38) vs Pelfrey (5.19)

And interestingly enough, tonight is the worst matchup for Texas of their 4 remaining (Garza vs Williams).

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7-0 and Texas is in.
6-1 and Texas has a good shot.
5-2 and Texas needs some help.

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If Texas loses the final two to finish 5-2, the season is over, no amount of help will change that.

6-1 Cle and/or TB must lose 2
7-0 Cle and/or TB must lose 1

Didn't expect the worst record out of the 3 would be 4-1 by TB.

I certainly didn't think Cle would turn into the best team in baseball over the final 10 games

A win this morning by the rangers might get in their head since they'll be watching

5 down, 2 to go