The Playoff Race: KC Royals Hopes for A.L. Central Title Dim
By John Viril
Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals A.L. Central title hopes took a big hit Wednesday night, as the Cleveland Indians rallied from a 4-3 deficit for a 6-4 victory at Progressive Field.
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The KC Royals had overcome a 3-0 1st inning Cleveland lead, by scoring 1 run in the 4th inning and 3 runs in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead. Kansas City immediately surrendered the lead when the Indians responded by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the frame. Rookie reliever, and last June’s 1st round draft pick from TCU, Brandon Finnegan gave up his 1st earned run of his major league career.
The damaging loss increases the Tigers’ A.L. Central lead to 2 games with 4 to play. Right now, Kansas City will need a collapse from the Tigers to come home with the A.L. Central crown.
A.L. CENTRAL
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The Tigers have now seized control of the A.L. Central, and now sit in the catbird seat to win the 4th straight A.L. Central title.
The Indians, meanwhile, have no chance at the Central, trailing the Tigers by 5.5 games with only 3 to play for Cleveland, and 4 for the Tigers (against the Twins).
We can, all but crown the Tiger’s as A.L. Central champs. Their magic number is 2.
A.L. WILD CARD
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The Oakland A’s continued their late season swoon when their rally from a 5-0 deficit to the Angels fell one run short. The A’s have almost done everything in their power to hand the Royals the A.L.’s top wild card, but Kansas City has not been able to win control.
Right now, the A’s and Royals are tied in the A.L. wild card standings with 4 games to play.
Seattle also lost Wednesday, putting their wild card hopes on life-support. Toronto scratched out a 1-0 win in a pitcher’s duel between Mark Buehrle and Taijuan Walker for their 2nd straight win over the Mariners.
Right now, Seattle trails Kansas City by 3 games with 4 to play.
Cleveland’s playoff hopes are even dimmer than Seattle’s. At least the Mariners can hope to win a wild card position if either KC or Oakland loses their last 4 games combined with a 4 game Seattle rebound. Cleveland, can only hope to pull into a tie for a wild card, if one of KC and Oakland loses all four of their remaining games and Cleveland wins out.
I’m not holding my breath waiting for either situation. Kansas City’s wild card magic number is now 2 with Seattle’s loss.