Ok, so here are the remaining schedules for teams that have a realistic shot at the wild card in my opinion. I am excluding Tampa and Seattle in the AL b/c they are too far back. I am excluding the Cubs and Atlanta in the NL for the same reason.
In consideration are the Marlins (5.5 back), San Fran (4 back), and the current WC leader Colorado in the NL.
For the AL, Texas (2 back) along with the WC leader Boston.
AL:
Boston: Tampa (3), LAA (3), @Balt.(3), @KC(4), @NYY(3), Tor(3), Clev(4).
Series vs. division leaders/2nd place in div./2nd in WC: 2
Series vs. average teams: 1
Series vs. scrub teams: 4
Texas: Sea(3), Oak(3), LAA(3), @Oak(4), Tam(3), @LAA(4), @Sea(3).
Series vs. division leaders/2nd place in div./2nd in WC: 2
Series vs. average teams: 3
Series vs. scrub teams: 2
NL:
Phillies: Mets(4), Was(3), @Atl(3), @Fla(3), @Mil(4), Hou(4), Fla(3).
Series vs. division leaders/2nd place in div/2nd in WC: 0
Series vs. average teams: 3 (I'm counting houston as average even though they are a 3 games under .500, b/c of their solid play as of late)
Series vs. scrub teams: 4
Colorado: @SD(3), @SF(3), @Ari(3), SD(3), Stl(3), Mil(3), @LAD(3).
Series vs. division leaders/2nd place in div/2nd in WC:3
Series vs. average teams:0
Series vs. scrub teams: 4
SanFran: LAD(3), Col(3), @LAD(3), @Ari(3), Cubs(4), Ari(3), @SD(3).
Series vs. div leaders/2nd place in div/2nd in WC: 3
Series vs average teams: 1 (can't believe I'm saying this for cubs, but their record = average)
Series vs. scrub teams: 3
Florida: Was(3), @Stl(3), @Cin(4), Phi(3), Mets(3), @Atl(3), @Phi(3).
Series vs. div leaders/2nd place in div/2nd in WC: 3
Series vs. average teams: 1
Series vs. scrub teams: 3
So, as it is by my criteria, the Phillies are the only team that do not have to play a division leader, 2nd place team in a division, or a 2nd place team in the wild card. That and they play 4 scrub teams.
In comparison, SF, Col, and Fla have 3 series against leaders/2nd in div/2nd in WC. Texas and Boston each have 2.
So throw out: SF, COL, and FLA.
Now, look at series vs. scrubs. Philles play 4, Boston plays 4, Texas plays 2. Throw out Texas.
That leaves Phillies and Boston. While Boston does have 2 top teams to play to Phillies 0, they only have 1 average game (at home) vs. Phillies 4.
The Phillies just about have locked in their division, where the Sox are trying to maintain a slim margin over Texas to grab the wild card. Plus the closer situation is still not settled in Philly.
Both have 4 home series left, and 3 away.
I am torn here, but leaning with staying with the Phillies. They have 2 series left against average teams that they have been swept by since the allstar break. And look at their remaining schedule. It is a joke. Absoutely a joke. Yeah Florida is good, but you think they are gonna back to back sweep the Phils? Or, will Houston back to back sweep them?
I think I will take the Phillies, but have them on a short leash, and see how the closer problem develops. Boston does have some nice matchups with games against Baltimore, KC, Toronto, and Cleveland, and I might take those too.
Time's yours.