Kansas City Royals Finally Make Playoffs Again: MLB Playoff Field Set

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Kansas City (89-73) finished just one game away from a tie for first place in the AL Central Division. With a spot in the Playoffs secured through a Wild Card, it marks the first time since 1985 that the Royals found themselves in the Playoffs. They won it all that year.

James Shields takes the mound for Kansas City on Tuesday night, in a one game series at home against Jon Lester and the Oakland Athletics (88-74), who won their last match to avoid a tiebreaker game against the Seattle Mariners (87-75). The winner of the game will play the Los Angeles Angels (98-64).

Meanwhile, the mentioned AL Central Champions, the Detroit Tigers (90-72), will face the AL East Champions, the Baltimore Orioles (96-66).

The Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74) once again got themselves into a Wild Card spot and will host the San Francisco Giants (also 88-74) on Wednesday. The winner plays the Washington Nationals (96-66), who took the NL East with little difficulty this season.

Finally, the LA Dodgers (93-68) will play the St Louis Cardinals (90-72).

The AL gets homefield advantage for the World Series.

2014 All-Star Break Standings

 In April I made some predictions for the MLB season. Some teams have lived up to them, while others have not. Plenty of time remains for teams to turn around, but this is how things are in mid July.
 

Rosters announced for Home Run Derby, All-Star Game in Minnesota

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The Home Run Derby for Major League Baseball is Monday, July 14, and the All-Star Game is the following day. Both are in Minnesota. The format for the Home Run Derby is changing this year, where the top American League and National League players will now end up facing each other in the finals, which was not always the case. Five Players from each league will participate, instead of the usual four, and each player is given less outs than 10.

Home Run Derby AL Players

Jose Bautista (Blue Jays), Josh Donaldson (Athletics), Brian Dozier (Twins), Adam Jones (Orioles) and 2013 Derby winner Yoenis Cespedes (Athletics). 

Home Run Derby NL Players

Troy Tulowitzki, Justin Morneau (both Rockies), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins), Yasiel Puig (Dodgers), and Tod Frazier (Reds).

Go here to see which players are in the All-Star game.

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