Despite all the injuries, offensive struggles and circus surrounding Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees are amazingly only 3½ games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League. True, they would have to jump three other teams – some combination of the Orioles, Indians, Rays, Red Sox and Athletics – to claim a spot, but it’s not impossible.
They have used an 11-4 stretch over the past two weeks to get back in contention, and play the three teams above them in the AL East 17 times before season’s end. The offense has been better, and the Yankees have been winning the close games – they are 5-0 in their past five one-run games.
Derek Jeter is expected to return from his third DL stint of the season on Monday, when the Yankees play the Blue Jays, who they are 12-1 against the season. They also have the fifth easiest schedule remaining, so it could be aligned for the Yankees to continue this run.
The only unfortunate thing is that the four teams with easier schedules are above them in the standings.
1) Dodgers (76-54) (1)
The Dodgers lost a series for the first time since June, having compiled a 14-0-4 record before losing two of three to the Red Sox this weekend.
2) Tigers (77-53) (3)
With another two home runs this week, Miguel Cabrera (42) is inching closer to Chris Davis (46), and his second-straight Triple Crown.
3) Red Sox (77-55) (5)
Took four of six on their West Coast trip, including two of three from the previously invincible Dodgers.
4) Cardinals (76-54) (4)
St. Louis will have their chance to reclaim sole possession of the NL Central over the next two weeks, as their next 13 games come against the Pirates and Reds.
5) Braves (78-52) (2)
Suffered their first three-game losing streak of the second half, but still own the biggest division lead in baseball at 13 games.
6) Rays (74-54) (7)
Since getting swept by the Dodgers two weeks ago, the Rays have responded by winning four series in a row and remain one game back of the Red Sox for the AL East lead.
7) Rangers (75-55) (8)
Were 4-0 last week heading into Saturday but ended the week losing two to the White Sox. With the Mariners and Twins up next, the Rangers need to beat up on bad teams if they want to hold their AL West lead.
8) Pirates (76-54 (6)
Pittsburgh is slumping at the wrong time as the Cardinals have now tied them for first in the NL Central.
9) Reds (74-57) (9)
Playing seven of their next 10 games against the Cardinals will go a long way in determining if they will enter the playoffs as a division winner or a wild-card team.
10) Indians (71-59) (11)
Scott Kazmir looked like the All-Star pitcher he used to be, with a six-inning eight-strikeout performance in a 3-1 win over the Twins on Sunday.
11) Athletics (72-57) (10)
It’s been a good week for Jed Lowrie, who went 9-for-24 with five extra base hits and owns a seven-game hitting streak for the Athletics.
12) Orioles (70-59) (13)
Needed to do better than a 3-3 homestand against the Rays and Athletics, two of the teams above them in the wild-card race.
13) Yankees (69-61) (14)
Their playoff chances already dwindling, the Yankees salvaged a game against the Rays this weekend with an extra-inning victory on Sunday.
14) Diamondbacks (66-63) (12)
After leading the NL West for much of the first half, the Diamondbacks are now 9 ½ behind the Dodgers in the division and seven back in the wild-card race.
15) Nationals (65-65) (17)
In the last week, Bryce Harper has raised his average from .261 to .274 and had a homer and six RBIs, which is why the Nationals have won five of six.
16) Royals (65-64) (15)
A seven-game losing streak couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Royals, who will most likely miss the playoffs for the 27th straight season.
17) Rockies (61-71) (17)
It was a good week for Jorge Del La Rosa, who went 2-0 to improve his record to 14-6.
18) Angels (58-71) (18)
Despite a three-game sweep over the Mariners this weekend, not much has gone right for the Angels this season.
19) Mariners (59-70) (16)
Seattle is back to not scoring runs again, as they scored twice in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Angels this weekend.
20) Padres (59-71) (22)
Finished in fourth place or worse in the NL West for four of the past five seasons and on pace to do that again.
21) Phillies (59-71) (26)
Poor Casper Wells. The Phillies outfielder went 0-for-7 and was the losing pitcher allowing five runs in the 18th inning of a 7-hour marathon loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
22) Mets (58-70) (20)
The Mets scored four runs this weekend against the Tigers, or one fewer than the number of RBIs Cabrera had against them in the series.
23) Blue Jays (58-73) (21)
Were swept in a four-game series by the Yankees and finished the season 0-10 in the Bronx.
24) Cubs (55-75) (23)
After starting the season 7-3 in extra inning games, the Cubs have lost their past three that have gone past nine innings following a 3-2 loss in 15 to the Padres on Sunday.
25) Twins (57-72) (24)
Joe Mauer is batting .324, but it hasn’t translated into many RBIs, as he has 47 on the season. And now the catcher is on the DL, dealing with concussion issues.
26) Giants (58-72) (25)
Looked like a playoff team the past few days, but unfortunately that won’t make up for the past five months worth of games.
27) White Sox (54-75) (28)
Impressive week for the White Sox, who have nothing to play for, but have won eight of nine. Now if only they could keep their bench coach Mark Parent from being ejected before games even start.
28) Brewers (57-73) (27)
Marco Estrada pitched a gem on Sunday, allowing one run with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Reds.
29) Marlins (49-80) (29)
Managed to win a game against the Dodgers last week, which not many teams can say recently.
30) Astros (43-86) (30)
The Astros missed out on their first sweep since May with a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday.