FGM Playoff Races Underway!

[ldsjayhawk]

The FGM season has passed the midpoint and we're looking forward to the playoffs.  18 teams legitimately remain in the hunt.  Here's how it boils down...

In the AL East and NL West, Tampa Bay and Colorado, respectively have their divisions well in hand and are counting down the days to the playoffs.   However, in both Central divisions, we may well see a dogfight to the end with St. Louis and Milwaukee sharing the top and in the AL Central, Chicago leads Minnesota after being in second place for much of the first two months of the season. 

As for the wildcard races, Seattle and Minnesota are well positioned at the top of the American League pack.  Houston holds a one game advantage over Kansas City for the final wild card place in the new 12 team playoff field.  Likewise, Milwaukee is virtually a lock for the playoffs while Philadelphia and New York attempt to fend off LA to hold their spots in the National League. 

AL Division Leaders
Los Angeles Angels
Tampa Bay Rays   
Chicago White Sox

AL Wildcard Race
Seattle Mariners   +10
Minnesota Twins   +10
Houston Astros   +1
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Kansas City Royals   -1
Texas Rangers   -9
Oakland A's   -11
Toronto Blue Jays  -13


NL Division Leaders
Colorado Rockies
St. Louis Cardinals   
Washington Nationals   

NL Wildcard Race
Milwaukee Brewers   +19
Philadelphia Phillies   +4
New York Mets   +2
----------------
Los Angeles Dodgers   -2
Chicago Cubs   -9

The trade deadline is just over a month away.  What deals will we see and how much will effect they will have on the playoff race?!  We're getting ready to find out!

[ldsjayhawk]

All-Star Break Update
We have two weeks until the trade deadline and 14 teams bidding for 12 playoff spots.  Tampa Bay has already clinched their division.  There are two close division races, both in the Central divisions.  There is still a chance for :PHI: in the NL East. 

The wildcard races are winding down with two teams still hoping to break into the playoffs.  :NYM:'s chances are fading in the NL, as :LAD: has moved past them to break into the playoffs, while :KC: is hanging tough just outside the playoff behind :HOU:.  In the AL, both :HOU: & :KC:  have made deals to boost their chances.

AL Division Leaders
Los Angeles Angels (Div Magic Number = 20)
Tampa Bay Rays (Clinched Division)
Chicago White Sox +1 (over Minnesota)

AL Wildcard Race
Minnesota Twins   +19 (Playoff Magic Number = 23)
Seattle Mariners   +7
Houston Astros   +1
----------------
Kansas City Royals   -1


NL Division Leaders
Colorado Rockies (Div Magic Number = 13)
Milwaukee Brewers +2 (over St. Louis)
Washington Nationals  +8  (over Philadelphia)

NL Wildcard Race
St. Louis Cardinals  +22
Philadelphia Phillies   +11
Los Angeles Dodgers   +8
----------------
New York Mets -8

7/31/2023 - Trade Deadline (12 pm ET) - Both Teams/GMs must have trade rationales posted by deadline to be valid.

[ldsjayhawk]

Trade Deadline Update
Monday at noon is the trade deadline and 14 teams are still bidding for 12 playoff spots.  Tampa Bay, LA Angels & Colorado have clinched their division.  There are two close division races, both in the Central divisions.  The AL Central is separated by just .5 game.

The AL wildcard has tightened up.  :MIN: is in control, but :SEA: has now slid into a three way race with :HOU: & :KC: with :KC: just one game outside of the playoff picture.  In the NL, :NYM: is still hanging on at 9 games out, but prospects are looking bleak with 3.5 weeks left.

Los Angeles Angels (Clinched Division)
Tampa Bay Rays (Clinched Division)
Chicago White Sox +.5 (over Minnesota)

AL Wildcard Race
Minnesota Twins   +19 (Playoff Magic Number =
Houston Astros   +2
Seattle Mariners   +1
----------------
Kansas City Royals   -1


NL Division Leaders
Colorado Rockies (Clinched Division)
Milwaukee Brewers +3 (over St. Louis)
Washington Nationals  +1  (over Philadelphia)

NL Wildcard Race
St. Louis Cardinals  +22
Philadelphia Phillies   +11
Los Angeles Dodgers   +9
----------------
New York Mets -9

7/31/2023 - Trade Deadline (12 pm ET) - Both Teams/GMs must have trade rationales posted by deadline to be valid.

[ldsjayhawk]

Final Week!

The playoffs are almost all sown up.  However, we have two races that are coming down to the wire.  In the NL, the NL East division is close to wrapped up, but there is still some work to be done.  :PHI: is up by 5 games, so providing a collapse this week, they should be able to wrap up another division title and the third seed in the playoffs.  All playoff spots are clinched in the NL, however, there is still some sorting out for seeding.

It is much more exciting in the AL.  While all of the division races have now been decided, the final two playoff spots are very much up in the air.  :SEA:, :HOU: & :KC: have all been fighting to claim these two spots.  :SEA: has the advantage with a 3 game lead, however, they are not safe, as this lead has dwindled over the past two weeks.  :HOU: & :KC: are tied for the final playoff spot, providing each team an opportunity to decide their fate this week.  If it comes down to it, :HOU: owns the tiebreaker 4-2.  This is what it is all about!

AL Playoffs
Los Angeles Angels (Clinched Division - #1 Seed )
Tampa Bay Rays (Clinched Division - #2 Seed )
Minnesota Twins (Clinched Division - #3 Seed )
Chicago White Sox (Clinched Playoff spot - #4 Seed)

AL Wildcard Race
Seattle Mariners   +3
Tie - Houston Astros   0 (tiebreaker 4-2)
Tie - Kansas City Royals   0

NL Playoffs
Colorado Rockies (#1 Seed)
Milwaukee Brewers (#2 Seed)
Philadelphia Phillies +5 (over Washington for division - #3 Seed)
St. Louis Cardinals (Clinched Playoff spot - #4 Seed)
Los Angeles Dodgers (Clinched Playoff spot - #5 Seed)
Washington Nationals (Clinched Playoff spot - #6 Seed)

[ldsjayhawk]

Heading into the weekend, the final playoff race is coming into clarity.  :HOU: has taken a hold of their own destiny and is winning all 8 of their games, which will likely leave :KC: out in the cold, despite being currently at 5-2.  :SEA: has a firm hold n their position.  With a 3 game lead and 6 games this week plus the tie breaker over :KC: (4-2), the M's would have to drop all of their games at this point to lose their spot.  They are currently 3-4.

In the NL, :WAS: is currently 6-0 and is narrowing :PHI:'s lead, but with a 5 game head start, the Phillies would also have to lose all of their games, while the Nats win all of theirs.  :PHI: is currently at 3-3. 

The weekend could bring anything, especially with :KC: only needing one more win than :HOU:, but things are looking like they are wrapped up for the first 12 team playoff field in FGM.