The American League has been home to several of baseball’s most winningest teams this season. The Angels, who own a league-leading 88-55 record, have overthrown the Athletics for first place rights in the West in recent weeks while the Orioles own the second best record in baseball, trailing closely behind in the East at 84-59. While both the Angels and Orioles have solidified their first place position in their respective divisions, the Central is still up for grabs between the Royals and Tigers with just under a month of regular season games remaining. The A’s and Mariners currently control the two Wild Card spots, though the Tigers have plenty of potential to make a run as they sit just a half-game behind the Mariners. As the 2014 season winds down, each postseason hopeful will have their sights set on October baseball. For some, however, the competitive nature of the American League Central and Wild Card race will come down to the wire in the final weeks of the regular season.

Below are the home secondary market average prices for the stretch run of teams within four games of a playoff spot in the American League, according to TiqIQ.

Baltimore Orioles | Avg. Price: $78.47

With three home stands remaining in the regular season, the Baltimore Orioles now own a commanding 10-game lead over the second place Yankees in the AL East. The Orioles will undoubtedly take the division while also owning the most expensive average secondary ticket price among playoff-contending American League teams for remaining regular season home games. The season average for Orioles tickets is now $78.47 on the secondary market, over 27% above the second most expensive Royals.

Kansas City Royals | Avg. Price: $61.59

The most competitive American League division belongs to the Central, where the Kansas City Royals own a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers. The season average for Royals tickets for remaining home games on the secondary market is $61.59, trailing just the Orioles as the most expensive secondary average among playoff-contending teams in the American League. Three consecutive home series remain on the Royals schedule in the regular season, with games against the Red Sox, White Sox and a pivotal three-game series with the Tigers beginning later this week.

Seattle Mariners | Avg. Price: $59.45

In what has been a turnaround season for the Seattle Mariners since making the biggest offseason splash in acquiring Robinson Cano, the team currently controls the second spot for the American League Wild Card with a 79-64 record. The season average for Mariners tickets for remaining home games is $59.45 on the secondary market, which is 38.2% above the first place Angels’ average of $43 in the AL West. Pivotal home games remaining on the Mariners schedule include a three-game series with both the Athletics and Angels, which will greatly impact the team’s Wild Card standing by the end of the month.

Oakland Athletics | Avg. Price: $53.03

The Oakland Athletics will have to rely on a Wild Card entrance into the postseason after falling from the top spot in the AL West since July. At eight games behind the first place Angels, the A’s still own an impressive 80-63 record, though their first place positioning in the AL Wild Card standings will be tested by the Mariners and Tigers, who sit just a collective 1.5 games out. The remaining season average for Oakland Athletics tickets is $53.03 on the secondary market, the most expensive in the AL West despite the team’s deteriorating play. The Athletics schedule will have three more regular season home series against the Rangers, Phillies and Angels.

Detroit Tigers | Avg. Price: $50

Since the All-Star Break, the Detroit Tigers have played moderately enough to retain a commendable record, but the Royals have taken first place in the AL Central, where they currently lead the division by one game. The Tigers own one of the most renowned starting pitching rotations in the league since acquiring David Price from the Rays in July, but their play has wavered since. The season average for Detroit Tigers tickets is $50 with the team’s most expensive home series coming against the Indians this weekend. The most important games remaining on the Tigers schedule will be against the Royals, who are currently in the midst of a three-game series this week before both teams play again in Kansas City next weekend.

Los Angeles Angels | Avg. Price: $43

Overthrowing the Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West in recent weeks are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, whose resurgence has cemented an eight-game lead over Oakland. The wavering play of the Athletics since July has helped the Angels ease into a demanding divisional lead in what was once a tight race. The season average for Angels tickets during the team’s remaining regular season home games is $43 on the secondary market, the cheapest among all American League playoff contenders. Interestingly enough, the Angels control the cheapest home ticket average while also owning the best record in baseball at 88-55. Four home series on the Angels schedule against the Rangers, Astros and Mariners remain.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.