MLB playoff picture: Cubs rally late; Dodgers can clinch NL West
The latest on all of Major League Baseball's remaining pennant races, as we sail toward the regular season finales on Oct. 1:
Wednesday's big winner: The Minnesota Twins snapped their mini-slump by beating the Detroit Tigers 12-1. The Twins hold a 2 ½ game lead over the over the Los Angeles Angels, who lost to the the Cleveland Indians, for the second American League wild card spot The Twins had lost five of six before beating the Tigers.
Wednesday's big loser: The Milwaukee Brewers had a chance to get within 2 1/2 games of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central, but lost 5-3 in the 10th inning in dramatic fashion. Instead, the Cubs extended their lead with a week and a half to go, and the St. Louis Cardinals loom just a half-game behind Milwaukee. The Cubs, winners of eight of their last nine games, can clinch their second straight division title as soon as Sunday with their magic number now at six.
Magic matters: The Los Angeles Dodger can clinch the NL West with a win over the San Francisco Giants or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss on Friday. It would be their fifth straight division title.
Today’s can’t-miss game: Angels at Astros (8:10 pm. ET). If the Angels want to remain in the AL wild card race, they will have to beat one of the best -- Justin Verlander, who opposes Garrett Richards. Since joining the Astros, Verlander has allowed just two earned runs with 26 strikeouts in 21 innings. The Angels sit 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins - and are now tied with the Texas Rangers - for the second wild card spot while the Astros have two fewer wins than the Cleveland Indians for home field advantage in the AL playoffs.
AL East
Red Sox (88-64) -- Magic number 8
Yankees (85-67) -- 3 GB
AL Central
Indians (96-57) -- Clinched division
AL West
Astros (93-59) -- Clinched division
NL East
Nationals (92-60) -- Clinched division
NL Central
Cubs (85-67) -- Magic number 6
Brewers (81-72) -- 4.5 GB
Cardinals (80-72) -- 5 GB
NL West
Dodgers (97-56) -- Magic number 1
Diamondbacks (88-65) -- 9 GB
AL wild card
Yankees (85-67) -- +6.5
Twins (79-84) --
Angels (76-76) -- 2.5 GB
Rangers (76-76) -- 2.5 GB
Royals (75-77) -- 3.5 GB
Mariners (74-79) -- 5 GB
Rays (74-79) -- 5 GB
NL wild card
Diamondbacks (88-65) -- +6
Rockies (82-71) --
Brewers (81-72) -- 1 GB
Cardinals (80-72) -- 2.5 GB
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