AL Wild Card: Nine Teams for Two Spots, Who Wins It?

Big Lead writers Jason Lisk and Mike Cardillo got together to discuss the crowded American League Wild Card field and predict which two teams will advance to the one-game playoff in October. Bear in mind this was recorded Thursday afternoon after the David Price trade to the Blue Jays, but before the Astros added Carlos Gomez and the rest of the deadline day deals. We also work under the assumption the Yankees win the AL East and the Royals win the Central, with either the Astros or Angels winning the West and the loser gaining a Wild Card spot.

We might not know who’s going to win out, but we do know Bud Selig is loving the league-wide parity.

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Here’s how bunched up the standings looked as of Friday morning:

Los Angeles Angels (55-46) +2.0 … Fingers crossed Mike Trout’s wrist remains okay..

Minnesota Twins (53-48) — … Everyone expects the Twins to tumble … but when?

Baltimore Orioles (51-50) 2.0 GB … The Birds are hanging around and will be active at the deadline and added Gerardo Parra from the Brewers on Friday morning, immediately improving their situation in the outfield.

Toronto Blue Jays (52-51) 2.0 GB … Time for a party like it’s 1993? They’re all-in after the Price and Troy Tulowitzki deals.

Tampa Bay Rays (51-52) 3.0 GB … Tampa is sticking around and probably will do so all the way until the final week of the season, as Chris Archer eyes the Cy Young Award.

Detroit Tigers (50-52) 3.5 GB … The Tigers traded David Price and Joakim Soria on Thursday (and maybe Yoenis Cespedes later today) but are still technically in the race.

Chicago White Sox (49-51) 3.5 GB … Chicago changed course from selling to buying in the last week, but seven-game winning streak came to and end Thursday night in Boston with Chris Sale pitching.

Texas Rangers (49-52) 4.0 GB … Added Cole Hamels in a move for the present and future.

Cleveland Indians (47-54) 6.0 GB … Traded Brandon Moss on Thursday, adding another quality young arm in the process who could offset the loss of Carlos Carrasco, should he be traded later today.

Sorry Seattle, Oakland and Boston … but we think you don’t have a shot. To find out our picks, well, you’ll just have to watch the video.