American League Predictions: Which five teams will remain after game 162?

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

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These 14 teams (and the Houston Astros) will soon be starting the second half of the year looking to compete for either a division title, or one of the two Wild Card spots which would put them in the playoffs. Which teams will make it? We won't know for sure until game 162 has been played

If the season ended today, Boston would win the East, Cleveland would win the South, Oakland would win the West, and Baltimore and Texas would clinch the two Wild Card spots. Luckily for some teams and unfortunately for some others, the season doesn't end today and there's still a lot of Baseball to be played. So which teams will be playing when October comes around? Here's my thoughts:

American League East (Orioles): As you can see, I think the Baltimore Orioles are going to come out victorious in the AL East. With Chris Davis's tremendous power numbers so far, and Manny Machado's timely hitting they simply will not be beaten when push comes to shove. The Orioles are serious contenders in the AL East, but that's not where it stops. This Orioles team also has the potential to maybe even with the American League Title and represent the league in the World Series. In the end, I think Boston finishes a distant second. I just don't think that they have enough hitting and pitching to compete with Baltimore at the end of the season.

American League Central (Tigers): Like the Orioles, the Detroit Tigers are also currently sitting in second place, but I don't think it will be like that at the end. With very talented hitters in the line-up like Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and very good pitching from Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, Detroit can definitely come from behind and overtake Cleveland. In second place behind Detroit, I think will be the Indians. Cleveland is a solid team offensively, but they are too streaky and when it comes down to the end of the season you need to buckle down and win games, and I don't think the Indians will be able to do that.

American League West (Oakland): Personally, I think that this is going to be the closest division of them all as the season comes to a close. With Oakland and the Texas Rangers being so evenly matched, this one might come down to the very last game of the season, game 162. Taking everything into consideration, I think the Athletics will come out on top. Being led by the offense of Josh Donaldson, and the pitching by Bartolo Colon, Oakland is poised to make a stretch run and possibly go deep into the playoffs. Like the standings sit now, I thing Texas will finish a very strong second. With players like Beltre, Andrus, and Cruz who are significant threats at the plate, and then    Darvish and Holland on the mound you have a very solid team, maybe even one who can make a run in the playoffs.

American League Wild Card (Texas and Boston): At the end of the season I don't think Boston or Texas will win either of their divisions. However, I do think that they will both secure a Wild Card spot, and will then play each other in a one game, loser goes home, playoff. In the end, I think Texas beats Boston and moves on. Like I mentioned before, Texas is solid on both ends of the ball,  and usually plays very well. In my opinion, Boston just doesn't have the players to win a one game playoff against Texas. With Yu Darvish, who would probably pitch that game, I just think Texas would be to much for Boston to handle.

When game 162 is over we will have five teams heading to the playoffs, and I think those teams will be Baltimore, Detroit, Oakland, Texas, and Boston. In my opinion, these are the best five teams in the American League, and are the most deserving out of the 15 total. Will these be the teams that are still alive when October comes around, I think so, but nobody knows for sure. However, if there's one thing I do know, it's that this is going to be an interesting end of the season for all teams involved.

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When we arrive at the end of the season, we are definitely going to see some great celebrations. What remains to be seen is which teams will be doing to the celebrating. You now have my thoughts.

 *** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of deucesgonewild.com ***

This article was written by one of our writers Dan Wanser. Dan is a Junior at Pottsville High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Dan is a huge baseball fan and has been following it his entire life. His  favorite player is Chase Utley and after he graduates he wants to be a broadcaster or beat writer for a professional baseball team.