As the Angels enter the second half, there are 9 teams in the AL with better records.
Here is a quick breakdown of the schedules and situations regarding the 6 opponents ahead of the Angels in the Wildcard Race.
Noted: The Dodgers are going to factor into the AL Wildcard race, as they play several of the AL East teams in the second half of the season. Interleague play is creeping into some very critical series' down the stretch actually, so the leagues are going to really affect each other this year.
•Toronto
Perennial: Ehh?
45-49 Record
+1/2 Game over Angels
Play Angels: x7 (4 @Angels) ( Home)
Home Games: 35
Away Games: 33
Days Off: 7
Interleague: (Dodgers 7/22-7/24), (@Dbacks 9/2-9/4) = 6 NL West
Finish with: 3 @Home vs. Rays
Perennial: Flagship Franchise of MLB
51-44 Record
+ 6 Games over Angels
Play Angels: x4 (Home )
Home Games: 30
Away Games: 37
Days Off: 7
Interleague: (@Dodgers 7/30-7/31) (@Padres 8/2-8/4) (Giants 9/20-9/22) = 8 NL West
Notables: Play the Giants on 9/20-9/22 @ Home (Crunch Time)
Finish with: 3 @Astros
•Cleveland
Perennial: Loser
51-44 Record
+ 6 Games over Angels
Play Angels: x6 (Home 8/9-8/11) (@Angels 8/19-8/21)
Home Games: 32
Road Games: 35
Days Off: 6
Interleague: (@Miami 8/2-8/4) (@Braves 8/27-8/29) (Mets 9/6-9/8)
Notables: Weak looking schedule for weak team, a wash.
Finish With: 4 @Twins
•Baltimore
Perennial: Loser (Coming off decent season)
53-43 Record
+ 7.5 Games over Angels
Play Angels: No
Home Games: 32
Road Games: 34
Days Off: 7
Interleague: (@Padres 8/6-8/7) (@Giants 8/9-8/11) (@Dback 8/12-8/14) (Rockies 8/16-8/18) NL WEST = 11 Games
Notables: 2 Week Stretch in the NL West (8/6-8/18)
Finish With: 3 @home vs Red Sox
•Texas
Perennial: Contender Last 3 Seasons
54-41 Record
+ 9 Games over Angels
Play Angels: (Home 7/29-7/31) (@Angels 8/5-8/7) (@Angels 9/6-9/8) (Home 9/26-9/29) 13 Times (6 Away/7 Home)
Home Games: 35
Road Games: 32
Days Off: 6
Interleague: (Dbacks 8/1) (Brewers 8/13-8/14) (Pirates 9/9-9/11) NL West= 1 Game, NL Central= 6 Games (7 Total)
Finish With: 4 @home vs. Angels
•Tampa Bay
Perennial: Overachiever
55-41 Record
+ 9.5 Games over Angels
Play Angels: (Home 8/27-8/29) (@Angels 9/2-9/5) 6 Times (3home/3 away)
Home Games: 28
Away Games: 38
Days Off: 7
Interleague: (Dbacks 7/30-7/31) (Giants 8/2-8/4) (@Dbacks 8/6-8/7) (@Dodgers 8/9-8/11) NL West 10 Games
Notables: 2 Weeks in NL West 7/30-8/11,
Notables: Long Stretch at end of season with no rest, (8/23-9/29) 1 day off total!!
Finish With: 3@BlueJays