Analysis: 2009 American League Wild Card Race

As the baseball season winds down, two teams are vying for the final spots in the American League's Wild Card race. First a look at the division leaders.

The New York Yankees are a solid lock to win the American (AL) East with a heavy lead over the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees have remaining games with Boston, Kansas City Royals, and the Tampa Bay Rays. Unless the Yanks can totally collapse, and the Red Sox should win nearly every game, the Yanks are certain to win their division.

In the Central Division, the Detroit Tigers have a small lead with remaining games against division rivals, the Chicago White Sox, and the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers have strong pitching and the third best home record in the league.

In the AL West, the Anaheim Angels are the most balanced team in the league with strong hitting, and good home and road winning records. The Angels have the toughest schedule with remaining games against the Yankees, Red Sox, and division rivals, the Texas Rangers.

This brings us to the American League Wild Card race. It appears to be a battle until the last game of this grueling 162 game Major League Baseball (MLB) schedule.

Boston, on September 11, had a close, two-game edge over West Division foes, the Texas Rangers. Pencil in a Wild Card determining series against their most hated rivals, the Yankees on the weekend of Sept. 25. This three game series against the Yankees, may be the make or break games that could decide if the Sox will play in the post season play offs. Other remaining games for the Sox are against Kansas City and Baltimore, on the road, and Toronto and Cleveland at home in Fenway Park to finish the regular season.

Texas, has seven games left against division leading Anaheim, before closing out the regular season on the road in Seattle.

The Rangers hitting is led by third baseman, Michael Young, the Rangers only starter hitting consistently over .300. The Rangers also have four players with over twenty home runs including Young, right fielder Nelson Cruz, second baseman Ian Kinsler, and first baseman Hank Blalock. Center fielder Marlon Byrd leads the team in Runs Batted In (RBI)'s and doubles.

The Rangers pitching has helped them to compete all season against division rivals Anaheim, Oakland, and Seattle. The Rangers are led by Scott Feldman, winner of over fifteen games. Other starters include, veteran Kevin Millwood, Derek Holland, and Brandon McCarthy. Frank Francisco has come back from the disabled list to close out games, and he has over twenty saves for the season.

The Boston Red Sox, winners of two World Series Championships in the past five years (2004, 2007), are seeking another Series trophy to add to their current dynasty.

The Red Sox all star lineup includes left fielder Jason Bay, designated hitter David (Big Papi) Ortiz, first baseman Kevin Youkilis, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, and third baseman Mike Lowell. The Sox have five sluggers with over twenty home runs, and five regular starters hitting near or over .300.

The Sox pitching is strong with starters Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and veteran knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield. Johnathan Papelbon, the best closer in baseball, has over thirty five saves and an Earned Run Average (ERA) of less than 2.00

This AL Wild Card Race is going down to the wire. With less than three weeks left in the season, Boston and Texas stand poised to enter the post season in a battle over who, essentially, may play the Yankees for the American League Championship.

The edge clearly favors Boston with its rich history of come from behind wins and World Series titles. Texas, on the other hand, has no World Series experience and may buckle under the pressure of a tight and formidable pennant race.
If the Red Sox win the Wild Card, their opponent will be the Anaheim Angels, while the Rangers would have to play the over rated Yankees in New York.

Keep your eyes on the standings. Almost anything can happen, and probably will as the baseball season of 2009 comes to a close. Caps off to Major League Baseball for providing us fans with another brilliant year of professional baseball.

Sources:

www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/stats/BOS
www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/stats/BOS/regularseason/PIT-BASIC/yearly
www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/stats/TEX/regularseason/PIT-BASIC/yearly
www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/stats/TEX/regularseason/HIT-BASIC/yearly
www.cbssports.com/mlb/standings
www.cbssports.com/mlb/standings/wildcard
www.cbssports.com/mlb/standings/playoffrace