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Race Day: Looking at the A.L. Playoff Races

About the Wild Card Race

Boston: RHP Jonathan Papelbon closed Sunday’s nightcap against Tampa Bay to complete the three-game sweep. In his last 10 appearances, Papelbon has an 0.73 ERA through 12.1 innings with 17 strikeouts. In his last 14 games, he has gotten more than three outs five times. C-1B Victor Martinez extended his hitting streak to 15 games, during which he’s hitting .358.

After Monday’s off day, the Red Sox will start Daisuke Matsuzaka, Paul Byrd and Josh Beckett when the Angels come to Fenway. That will complete an eight-game homestand. Then it’s on to the final road trip of the season: three at Baltimore, four at Kansas City and three in the Bronx.

About the AL West Race

Los Angeles: Speaking of closers, Angels manager Mike Scioscia met for 25 minutes before Sunday afternoon’s game with LHP Brian Fuentes. On Saturday, Scioscia pulled Fuentes in a save or win situation for the fourth time since late July. According to the Orange County Register, Scioscia said the meeting was about mechanics; Fuentes said it wasn’t but apparently didn’t elaborate. Either way, Fuentes recorded his major league-high 41st save on Sunday in the Angels’ 3-2 win over the White Sox.

This week, the Angels will make up a rainout at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, play three in Boston and three in Arlington. On Monday night, RHP Jered Weaver (15-5, 3.76) will face RHP Joba Chamberlain (8-5, 4.45). Weaver has a career record against the Yankees of 4-1 with a 5.82 ERA. This season, he has a win and a no decision against New York. Last time out, he allowed two earned runs on solo home runs in beating Kansas City. 3B Chone Figgins was rested Sunday; in his last eight games, he’s hitting .200.

On Sunday, the Yankees avoided a home sweep against the Orioles though it must have had them in ill humor. 3B Alex Rodriguez was tossed for the first time since July 2004, followed dutifully by manager Joe Girardi. SS Derek Jeter is 9-for-18 in his last four games, now fourth in the A.L. in hitting at .332. He hasn’t homered since Aug. 28. LF Johnny Damon (.286, 24 HRs, 76 RBIs) sat out Saturday and Sunday with a tight back and hamstrings and said he’s ready to play on Monday night. Chamberlain’s workload has changed in recent weeks – still starting but leaving games early. Last week against Tampa Bay, he exited after three innings and 55 pitches. He hasn’t gone six innings since Aug. 11, hasn’t won a game since Aug. 6. In his only start this season against LA, it was the Angels who determined he should shower early: 4.1 innings, five runs on nine hits.

If The Playoffs Started Today

Detroit @New York; Boston @Los Angeles