Will the Angels and Tigers Miss the Playoffs?

If the season ended today, two American League teams that entered 2012 with World Series aspirations would be on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. I am of course referring to the extremely talented yet ridiculously inconsistent Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.

After yesterday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers are now three games back in the AL Central. As October approaches, it’s beginning to look like it will be either division or bust for the Tigers and White Sox, as Detroit is currently 5.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays and Angels.

While Los Angeles is three games out of the second Wild Card spot, they are trailing two teams, the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics, in the AL West. The A’s are still within striking distance of the Rangers for the division’s top spot, but the Angels entered the day 7.5 games out, meaning their only real shot at the playoffs is the second Wild Card.