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MLB Wild Card Standings: Dodgers in close race with Cardinals, Cubs

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Straily (58) beats Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) to first base for an out in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Straily (58) beats Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) to first base for an out in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Dodgers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 19, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Wellington Castillo (29) reacts after hitting a walk-off home run in the tenth inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Wellington Castillo (29) reacts after hitting a walk-off home run in the tenth inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Wild Card Standings

Baltimore Orioles (25-17, .595, +2.5)

The Yankees recent struggles offered an opportunity for the Orioles to finish the weekend atop the NL East standings, but Baltimore couldn’t finish the sweep over Toronto Sunday and fell to 3-7 over the last 10 games. Still, the O’s are in line for a trip to the postseason.

The Baltimore starting rotation has been a roller coaster unit thus far. Dylan Bundy and Wade Miley leading the way with sub-3.00 ERAs and Chris Tillman steady in three starts since returning from the disabled list. But Kevin Gausman and Ubaldo Jimenez have been hit hard and both have ERAs north of 6.50.

Cleveland Indians (23-19, .548, – GB)/ Minnesota Twins (22-18, .550, – GB)

The AL East is arguably the toughest division in the majors from top to bottom, but the AL Central may be the hardest fought in 2017. The Indians climbed back into first place following a three-game sweep of the Astros, but the Twins have been surprisingly good this season after finishing with the worst record in baseball a year ago.

Ervin Santana began the season pitching like a Cy Young candidate, Jose Berrios has been outstanding in two starts since his call up from Triple-A, and Miguel Sano has blossomed into a bona fide offensive superstar. In other words, the Twins have staying power.

Texas Rangers (24-21, .533, 0.5 GB)

Boston Red Sox (22-21, .512, 1.5 GB)

Los Angeles Angels (23-23, .500, 2.0 GB)

Tampa Bay Rays (23-23, .500, 2.0 GB)

Detroit Tigers (21-21, .500, 2.0 GB)

Chicago White Sox (20-22, .476, 3.0 GB)

Oakland Athletics (20-24, .455, 4.0 GB)

Seattle Mariners (20-25, .444, 4.5 GB)

Toronto Blue Jays (19-26, .422, 5.5 GB)

Kansas City Royals (18-25, .419, 5.5 GB)

The hottest team in baseball is the Texas Rangers, who have won 11 of their last 12 games. The Rangers overcame a horrid start to the season thanks to steady starting pitching from Yu Darvish and Andrew Casher, as well as new closer Matt Bush, who solidified the ninth inning that plagued the club early on.

Offensively, Texas doesn’t have a .300 hitter on the roster, and future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre has yet to take the field. Nevertheless, the Rangers have powered their way into Wild Card contention. Joey Gallo, Mike Napoli, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara have combined for 35 home runs.

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