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Who will join the Yankees?

Author: John Harris
Date: 27/09/2009
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The New York Yankees are back in the post-season after a one-year hiatus.

After inexplicably missing out on the play-offs last season, normal service has been resumed in Major League Baseball.

The most successful team in the history of the sport became the first team this season to book their place in the end-of-season showdown following a 6-5 win over Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

But which other teams can we expect to see lining up alongside the Bronx Bombers when the regular season draws to a close in seven days' time?

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It would take a spectacular collapse from the sportsbook favourite Yankees not to confirm their place as American League East winners.

They have a healthy advantage over the second-placed Boston, which means the Red Sox will have to settle for a Wild Card entry to the play-offs.

The Wild Card place is effectively handed to the best runner-up in each of baseball's two halves - the American League and National League - and with Boston more than five games clear of their closest challengers, that is the most obvious scenario.

Elsewhere in the American League, the Los Angeles Angels should wrap up the West title as they hold a comfortable advantage over the second-placed Texas Rangers.

Things are less clear in the Central division where the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are neck-and-neck in the standings.

The two challengers for the pennant go head-to-head in a four-game series at Detriot's Comerica Park next week in what promises to be a season-defining run of games.

The National League scenario is much clearer as the East, West and Central divisions all have one relatively dominant team.

That just leaves a major question mark hanging over the Wild Card picture.

Philadelphia Phillies, who are the reigning World Series champions, are in control of the East and are on the verge of wrapping up a second successive divisional pennant.

The same can be said of the 2006 world champion St Louis Cardinals after a season where they have seldom been off the top of the Central standings.

Los Angeles Dodgers are also on course for a second straight West title under the canny leadership of veteran manager Joe Torre.

That leaves a nip-and-tuck race for the National League Wild Card with four clubs all still in contention.

Colorado Rockies currently lead the way but have Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants and Florida Marlins all breathing down their necks.

It promises to be an exciting end to the regular season before the drama of the play-offs begins in earnest in early October.

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