MLB Playoff Picture For Week of Sept. 2

Postseason baseball is just a month away, but the playoff races in both the AL and NL are as tight and contested as they were several months ago.

American League East

The New York Yankees, buoyed by the heroics of Mike Ford, became the first team in the league to reach 90 wins.

They have a nine-game lead on Tampa Bay in the division and a 15-game lead on Boston.

American League Central

The Minnesota Twins currently have the lead in what has proven to be a back-and-forth battle with the Cleveland Indians, having gotten out to a six-game lead at this juncture.

American League West

The Houston Astros have themselves quite the comfortable cushion, as they are currently 10.5 games ahead of the Oakland Athletics.

American League Wild Card

The Rays and Indians currently hold the top two spots in the wild card race, with the A's just a half game out and the Boston Red Sox five games out.

National League East

Ronald Acuña, Freddie Freeman, and the Braves have a 6.5-game lead over the Washington Nationals, a 12.5-game lead over Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, and a 14-game lead over the New York Mets.

National League Central

The St. Louis Cardinals are in front with a three-game lead over the Chicago Cubs and a seven-game advantage over the Milwaukee Brewers, making this the tightest division race.

National League West

The Los Angeles Dodgers are way out in front of everyone here, as they have a 17.5-game lead over the second place Arizona Diamondbacks.

National League Wild Card

The two spots are currently occupied by Nationals and Cubs, with the Phillies, Brewers, Diamondbacks, and Mets all within four games of the second spot. Philadelphia is just 2.5 games out from the second Wild Card spot.