AL wild card race is far from a runaway, with multiple clubs vying for berths

The American League wild card race is a mess. Texas has won three consecutive games to take a wild card spot for the first time since June 17. If they season ended today, they'd play the Yankees in New York in the one-game playoffs. The Twins, looking irrelevant after 1-6 trip through Toronto and Cleveland two weeks ago, are back in the hunt after a four-game sweep of the Orioles. And even with a .500 record, Tampa Bay is in the mix. Who knows? Maybe the Tigers, without Yeonis Cespedes and David Price, and injured starters Anibal Sanchez and Daniel Norris, have a chance to play meaningful games in September. Here's how the competition stacks up: * The Angels have taken the biggest fall, considering they were the hottest hitting team in the AL during July. They had a two-game lead over Houston on July 22 in the AL West and weren't thinking about the wild card race. The Angels were 14 games over .500 at that point, but now their offense has fallen off. They've played sloppy defense and gotten no pitching. They've scored the fewest runs in the league during August. Mike Trout is slumping to .205 during the month, and Albert Pujols is at .244 and getting off-days to keep him from wearing down. The rotation lasted only 12 innings in three games over the weekend versus Toronto. * The Angels' slide has given the Rangers a shot at the AL West title while moving into a wild card spot for the first time since June 17. The Rangers added Will Venable to replace the injured Josh Hamilton, and that's been a good move, so apparently the Rangers aren't thinking of only next season. If the Rangers' starting pitching kicks into gear, they're going to be tough: Lefty Cole Hamels has settled in and picked up his first win, lefty Derek Holland is back from the disabled list, Yovani Gallardo's slump has ended and Colby Lewis has improved in each of his last eight starts. There are several prospects to handle the No. 5 spot. * The rebuilding Twins are hard to figure. They fall out of sight by going 1-6 at Toronto and Cleveland, but win series versus Texas and the Indians. Then they get swept by New York and sweep the Orioles in Camden Yards. Their bullpen, a problem in the first half, has been fixed with Kevin Jepsen and lefty Neal Cotts helping Trevor May get to closer Glen Perkins. But the rotation has gone from a strength to a question mark. Ervin Santana has been more good than bad. Phil Hughes is out until September with a back problem. Mike Pelfrey is tired, but gutting out six or seven innings every start. Kyle Gibson isn't as steady as he was in the first half. Prospect Tyler Duffey's curveball is impressive, but they are going to need more than that. * When the Rays traded Jepsen to Minnesota for two prospects, little did they know they'd be in a race and need him in August. The Rays bullpen blew leads in four of 10 games on their latest West Coast trip. Closer Brad Boxberger is struggling. Jake McGee is hurt. Asdrubal Cabrera, Desmond Jennings and Brandon Guyer are the Rays' three hottest hitters. Evan Longoria is average. The rotation is atypically average, but if Drew Smyly, back from the disabled list, comes on and supports Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer, who knows how far the Rays can go?