Ranking AL Wild Card Contenders Based on Remaining Schedules

7. Baltimore Orioles

World Series Odds: +1100
Remaining Schedule: @ New York Yankees, @ Minnesota Twins

The Baltimore Orioles might need every bit of the cushion they've built for themselves in the standings. Sitting +4.0 games in the wild card race, the Orioles won't be adding to their buffer before the end of the season. 

The former AL East leaders have two challenging road tests to end the campaign. First, they head to the Bronx for a clash versus the division-leading New York Yankees. Then, they head to the Twin Cities for a crucial battle against the Minnesota Twins. 

With 86 wins, the O's are almost assured of playing baseball in October. However, their playoff tenure will be brief unless they find a way of correcting their current issues. 

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2. Boston Red Sox

World Series Odds: +49000
Remaining Schedule: @ Toronto Blue Jays, vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Not mathematically eliminated from postseason contention just yet, the Boston Red Sox need everything to go exactly right over the final week of the season. That starts by taking care of business against two divisional foes. 

The Red Sox embark on one final road trip, heading north of the border for a clash with the Toronto Blue Jays. Subsequently, they return home for a crucial showdown against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway.

Although it's a team-friendly schedule, Boston has no margin for error over the last six games of the season. Anything other than two sweeps and the Red Sox will miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Still, they'll need some help from other teams to pull off the Hail Mary.

3. Minnesota Twins

Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -146 | No +112
Remaining Schedule: vs. Miami Marlins, vs. Baltimore Orioles

The Minnesota Twins close out the 2024 regular season on a six-game home stand. Currently 1.0 game back of the final wild-card spot, the Twins can't afford any slip-ups against the Miami Marlins or Baltimore Orioles. 

Miami gave up on the season months ago, giving Minnesota a much-needed advantage in their penultimate series. While the Orioles still have something to play for, they may be resigned to their wild-card berth by the final weekend of the year. As such, it could just be a formality as they rest their starters ahead of the playoffs. 

Minnesota is 42-33 at home this year, a benchmark that should ratchet higher over the final week of the season. With some help, the Twins could leapfrog the Kansas City Royals and make consecutive postseasons for the first time since 2019-2020. 

4. Seattle Mariners

World Series Odds: +19000
Remaining Schedule: @ Houston Astros, vs. Oakland Athletics

For the 22nd time in 23 seasons, the Seattle Mariners appear to be coming up short in their postseason pursuits. The M's late-season collapse precipitated a tumble down the standings, and they don't have enough runway to salvage their playoff ambitions. 

Seattle ventures onto the road for a three-game set against the team that unseated them atop the AL West standings, the Houston Astros. The tragedy can become even more poetic, as the Astros can put the final nail in the coffin by sweeping the M's out of town. 

Of course, the Mariners may steal the series against the Astros and reinvigorate their playoff chances, but that just isn't Seattle's way of doing business.

5. Kansas City Royals

Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -205 | No +154
Remaining Schedule: @ Washington Nationals, @ Atlanta Braves

Every young team goes through growing pains, but the Kansas City Royals are on the verge of a monumental collapse. Just a few weeks ago, the Royals were contending for the AL Central crown. They're on the verge of falling completely out of the playoffs. A six-game road trip to end the year amplifies those concerns.

Take note of these troublesome trends. The Royals are the only playoff team with a losing road record. Moreover, they have fared poorly against NL teams this season, going 19-21. Both of those factors are working against the playoff hopefuls as they travel for two road matchups against the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. 

Losers of seven in a row, Kansas City's once-promising campaign could come to an unceremonious conclusion.

6. Tampa Bay Rays

Odds to Make the Playoffs: N/A
Remaining Schedule: @ Detroit Tigers, @ Boston Red Sox

Oddsmakers have already written off the Tampa Bay Rays. Most shops have taken them off the World Series futures board, and no one is taking money on their odds to make the playoffs. 

Tampa Bay's final two series come on the road against teams ahead of them in the standings. Starting on Tuesday, the Rays head to Comerica Park for a date with the Detroit Tigers, following up with an intra-divisional battle against the Boston Red Sox. 

It would take a minor miracle for the Rays to make the playoffs, but they will still play a pivotal role in which teams are still around in October.

7. Baltimore Orioles

World Series Odds: +1100
Remaining Schedule: @ New York Yankees, @ Minnesota Twins

The Baltimore Orioles might need every bit of the cushion they've built for themselves in the standings. Sitting +4.0 games in the wild card race, the Orioles won't be adding to their buffer before the end of the season. 

The former AL East leaders have two challenging road tests to end the campaign. First, they head to the Bronx for a clash versus the division-leading New York Yankees. Then, they head to the Twin Cities for a crucial battle against the Minnesota Twins. 

With 86 wins, the O's are almost assured of playing baseball in October. However, their playoff tenure will be brief unless they find a way of correcting their current issues. 

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