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1933 AL Standings
Mike Francesa:
Alright, let’s slow this down and really look at the American League in 1933, because on the surface it feels straightforward — but it’s not. Tampa Bay at 105 wins? That’s not just a good season, that’s a tone-setting season. That’s the best record in baseball, they earn the bye, and frankly nobody’s arguing it. This is a grown-up team. They don’t beat themselves. They don’t panic. And they’ve separated from the pack in a way that matters.
Chris Russo:
Yeah but Mike, here’s the thing — Tampa Bay’s great, no question, but this league is loaded behind them. I mean, you’ve got Toronto at 97, Anaheim at 97, Boston at 93, Cleveland at 94, Houston at 92. That’s a lotta teams that can beat you in a short series. Tampa’s got the target now. Everybody’s chasing them.
Mike Francesa:
Fair. But Anaheim quietly did the same thing Tampa did — they took care of business, won their division, got the bye, and avoided the Wild Card chaos. And Anaheim’s 97 wins don’t feel fluky. They’ve been steady all year. They didn’t spike, they didn’t collapse. That’s playoff baseball.
Chris Russo:
Okay but let’s talk about the Wild Card, because that’s where this thing gets fun. Boston versus Toronto? That’s spicy. Toronto wins 97 games and still has to play in the Wild Card round. That’s brutal. And Boston’s sitting there saying, “We’re not afraid of anybody.” They’ve been lurking all season.
Mike Francesa:
Toronto’s dangerous though. They’ve been here before. They don’t scare easy. But you’re right — that matchup is not comfortable for either side. Boston’s offense can ambush you, and Toronto doesn’t always close teams out cleanly. That series could flip on one bad inning.
Chris Russo:
And then Houston–Cleveland! Mike, Houston at 92 wins feels like the most under-the-radar powerhouse in the league. Nobody’s talking about them like a top seed, but they’re always there. Always. And Cleveland — division winners, 94 wins — they’re tough, they’re physical, they don’t blink.
Mike Francesa:
That’s a coin-flip series to me. Cleveland earned the Central, but Houston’s been forged in October already. They’ve been through wars. That matters. I don’t care what the standings say — Houston is not a team anyone wants to see.
Chris Russo:
Now Mike, we have to mention this — the Yankees. Seventy-one wins. Seventy-one. That’s not a typo. That’s a collapse. They’re irrelevant in this race, and that’s stunning given their history in this universe. They weren’t unlucky — they were just bad.
Mike Francesa:
Same with Baltimore. When you’re a four-time champion franchise and you’re sitting at 59 wins, you’re not part of the conversation anymore. That’s a long way down. The league’s changed, and some of these old powers didn’t change with it.
Chris Russo:
And look at the bottom — Minnesota, Seattle — just lost seasons. Meanwhile Tampa Bay’s at 105 like it’s nothing.
Mike Francesa:
So here’s the big picture: the byes matter more than ever. Tampa Bay and Anaheim are sitting back, watching four very good teams beat each other up. Whoever comes out of that Wild Card round is going to be talented — but tired.
Chris Russo:
And that’s where Tampa and Anaheim have the edge. Not just talent — timing.
Mike Francesa:
Exactly. This postseason’s set up beautifully. No gimmicks. No surprises. Just pressure — and we’re about to find out who handles it.
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