The A’s were the big losers so far this week (see all 52 games below), as they lost a series to the Mariners and had the three teams trying to keep them out of the playoffs sweep. The Rangers pulled 2.5 games ahead of the A’s for the AL West, and the Indians (2.5 behind the A’s) and Yankees (3.5) are both within four games of stealing the last playoff spot from the A’s – who also lost a series last week to the worst team in baseball (Astros).
It is hard to sweep even the worst team in baseball, but the Rangers did it this week just as they did last week against the lowly Astros. Both the A’s (12-3 against the Astros) and Rangers (13-2) have thoroughly enjoyed the Astros coming to the AL West this year from the NL Central. However, both of the A’s losses to them came last week as the Rangers have started to open a lead after most assumed they would fall off the pace when Nelson Cruz was suspended.
Alex Rodriguez’s decision to fight his suspension has led to a Yankees surge. They have gone from having just one player with an OPS of .800 (Robinson Cano) to four players with the return from injury of Curtis Granderson, trade acquisition of Alfonso Soriano, and Rodriguez’ return. They completed the even more rare 4-game sweep over the Blue Jays.
The Indians showed no mercy in sweeping the Angels, who were already having a terrible year even before Albert Pujols was lost for the season.
The only other team to sweep was the White Sox, who pulled off a second straight sweep despite being the second worst team in baseball. The Royals started that series 3.5 games ahead of the Yankees, but tonight are 3.5 games behind the Yankees. Here are all 52 games, listed by team: