{"id":60683,"date":"2023-08-16T11:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=60683"},"modified":"2023-08-16T10:52:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T14:52:46","slug":"al-playoffs-race-wildcard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/16\/al-playoffs-race-wildcard\/","title":{"rendered":"AL Playoffs Weekly Watch: Duels at the Top, a Brawl at the Bottom"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this week’s Playoff Watch: Can the Orioles remain at the top of the standings? Will the Rays fall out of the playoffs? Who will win the AL West between the Astros and the Rangers<\/a>? Have the Twins secured the weakest division in the MLB? Are the Blue Jays primed to defend the last Wild Card spot, with Seattle and Boston in pursuit?<\/p>\n

AL East: The Rise and the Fall<\/h3>\n

After a positive 4-3 week, the Baltimore Orioles <\/a>are still holding the AL standings crown. But their small run differential begs the question: will their hot hand in close games start cooling off? Even if it will, they are looking at a relaxing week. A final game against San Diego tonight might be rough, but a series in Oakland and a couple of rest days might be just what the doctor ordered and should help them solidify their positions in the AL and the East.<\/p>\n

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2 years ago the Baltimore Orioles lost 100 games for the 3rd time in 4 years (\u201818,\u201919,\u201921)<\/p>\n

Now they have the 2nd best record in all of baseball sitting at 74-45.<\/p>\n

Something special is brewing in Baltimore! pic.twitter.com\/tHCiPd6QL6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \ud835\ude46\ud835\ude63\ud835\ude3d (@kazknowsball) August 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n