MLB Pennant Race Update 9/11/12
A vast majority of major league teams have between 20 and 22 games remaining, and the pennant races tightened even further on Monday night.
American League Update
| Division | Team | Games Back |
| AL East | Yankees | 0 |
| Orioles | 1 | |
| Rays | 2 | |
| AL Central | White Sox | 0 |
| Tigers | 3 | |
| AL West | Rangers | 0 |
| Athletics | 3.5 | |
| AL Wild Card | Athletics | 0 |
| Orioles | 0 | |
| Rays | 1 | |
| Angels | 1.5 | |
| Tigers | 5 |
American League East- The Yankees, Orioles and Rays had the night off but Baltimore and Tampa Bay begin a three-game series against each other this evening. New York travels to Boston.
American League Central- AJ Pierzynski smacked his 23rd home run and the White Sox overwhelmed the Tigers 6-1 to add to its division lead. Jose Quintana allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings for the win.
American League West- Oakland won its fourth straight, adding to its wild card lead with a 3-1 win over the Angels. Jarrod Parker out-pitched Dan Haren and Brandon Moss hit his 17th home run.
Quote of the night- “This whole series is pretty important for both of the teams. We are going to have a chance to maybe get a couple of games ahead if we win the series. It could decide what is going to happen at the end of the year.” –White Sox OF Alex Rios, who also homered in the win.
National League Update
| Division | Team | Games Back |
| NL East | Nationals | 0 |
| Braves | 6.5 | |
| NL Central | Reds | 0 |
| Cardinals | 9.5 | |
| NL West | Giants | 0 |
| Dodgers | 5 | |
| NL Wild Card | Braves | 0 |
| Cardinals | 0 | |
| Dodgers | 1 | |
| Pirates | 2.5 | |
| Philadelphia | 5 | |
| Milwaukee | 5 |
National League East- Gio Gonzalez got his 19th win as the Nationals easily dispatched the Mets 5-1. Philadelphia won its fifth straight behind Kyle Kendrick and Dominic Brown, 3-1 over Miami to remain in the periphery of the playoff race.
National League Central- St. Louis’ 11-3 loss to San Diego didn’t matter for the Pirates after Pittsburgh dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker at home to Cincinnati. Ryan Ludwick’s infield single ended it in the 14th inning and sent the Bucs to its fourth straight loss.
National League West- The Dodgers gained a half game on the Braves, Cardinals and Giants after San Francisco dropped a 6-5 decision to Colorado.
Quote of the night- “I must’ve had a thousand chances to win the game, and I finally did it on the thousandth chance. Every time I came up, it seemed like there were guys on base. I’m glad I finally got it done in … what inning was it? The 14th?” –Ludwick, on finally winning the game for the Reds and dealing Pittsburgh a tough blow.
