While things appear pretty set in the Senior Circuit, the American League promises to feature a ton of last week intrigue as eight teams battle for five postseason spots. Rarely have we seen half of a league still in contention with just over a week remaining on the regular season schedule.

No team has clinched their specific division as the Texas Rangers hold a four game lead, the biggest in the league, over the Oakland Athletics with five head-to-head matchups remaining.

The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox don’t appear to be ready to take a stranglehold on the AL Central. Instead, both have struggled down the stretch to the tune of a 9-11 combined record over the course of the last 20 games.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles are giving the New York Yankees a run for their money, down only 1.5 games with just over a week remaining.

This is going to get interestingly relatively quickly. So, let’s take a look at what the AL has in store for us during the last week of the regular year.

Texas Rangers: Four Games ahead of Oakland, eight games remaining

Schedule: VS- Oakland (2), VS- Los Angeles (3), AT- Oakland (3)

Eight games remaining against potential playoff teams, but five of them at the friendly confines of Arlington. Josh Hamilton returned to action in the series-opener against Oakland. Meanwhile, rooki sensation Yu Darvish was scratched from his start Tuesady, a game that could have pretty much wrapped up the AL West crown for Texas.

Instead, it appears that the Rangers might have to wait a few days to clinch. If they have to go into Oakland for the season-ending series with the division still on the line, Texas could be in for a world of hurt. It is important for them to clinch at home. 

Oakland Athletics: Four games behind Texas in AL West and two games ahead for final wild card spot with eight games remaining.

Schedule: AT- Texas (2), VS- Seattle (3), VS- Texas (3)

Probably the most surprising team in baseball, Oakland really is making it difficult for other teams that are perceived to be more legit playoff contenders to actually make it to the second season. The A's probably have to win their remaining five games against Texas in order to capture the AL West Title. With that in mind, they are up two games for the final wildcard spot with eight left....Not a bad situation to be in. The good news is that Oakland seems to have favorable pitching matchups in four of their final five games against Texas, with the season-finale still to be determined. 

At the very least, a wildcard game for this team would have to be considered nothing less than extraordinary. After all, they are relying on about a dozen rookies to get it done. Meanwhile, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, Bartolo Colon and Brandon McCarthy are all on the shelf right now. Amazing!

Detroit Tigers: Tied with Chicago for AL Central lead, eight games remaining. One potential game against Chicago due to rainout.

Schedule: VS- Kansas City (2), AT- Minnesota (3), AT- Kansas City (3) 

One' would think that Detroit is in a favorable position to grab the AL Central Champinship with eight games remianing against two of the worst teams in the American League. However, they are not playing great ball right now and could be in for a real let down. Detroit was in the midst of the wildcard race before dropping 7-of-12 down the stretch. 

Keep in mind that Detroit still have a possible game against Chicago that was postponed back in the middle of September. Neither team is currently in the wildcard game, so that could be a one-game playoff to decide who captures the AL Central. 

Chicago White Sox: Tied with Detroit for AL Central Lead, eight games remaining. One potential game against Detroit due to rainout.

Schedule: VS- Cleveland (1), VS- Tampa Bay (4), AT- Cleveland (3)

Chicago is in a much less enviable position than their AL Central counterpart. They have a four game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, who are still in the midst of both the AL East and wildcard race right now. Meanwhile, Detroit will be going up against both the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins during that span. 

They need to get the ship righted if they are going to have a chance at playing meaningful baseball in October. I just don't see that happening unless Chicago can take three of four against Tampa. Time will tell! 

New York Yankees: 1.5 games ahead of Baltimore for AL East lead, eight games remaining.

Schedule: AT- Minnesota (1), AT- Toronto (4), VS- Boston (3)

Who would have though we would be looking at a division race entering the last week of the season without the Baltimore Orioles replacing the Boston Red Sox as New York's primary challenger in the AL East? The constant goal for New York is a World Series Title. In order for them to have a strong opportunity to accomplish that ultimate goal, they probably need to capture the division crown. 

A one-game playoff against the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels or Tampa Bay Rays probably doesn't seem to exude a lot of confidence from New York considering all three of those teams have more reliable starting rotations at this point. 

Baltimore Orioles: 1.5 games behind New York for AL East lead, .5 game ahead of Oakland for for first wildcard spot, 3.5 games ahead of Los Angeles for final postseason spot.

Schedule: VS- Toronto (1), VS- Boston (3), AT- Tampa Bay (3)

Probably right up there with Oakland as the most surprising team in MLB, Baltimore is in a good position to earn a postseason spot for the first time since 1997 and only the fourth time since 1983. What this team has done is nothing short of amazing. They have a 2.5 game lead for the final postseason spot and are right there with New York in the AL East. 

In reality, Baltimore's entire season could come down to a three-game set with Tampa Bay to end the regular season. No one would have thought this team playing competitive baseball in October was a possibility back in March. Good for them. 

Tampa Bay Rays: Five games behind New York for AL East lead, 3.5 behind Baltimore for top wildcard spot and 3 behind Oakland for final playoff spot.

Schedule: AT- Boston (1), AT- Chicago (4), VS- Baltimore (3) 

As streaky as they come, Tampa Bay needs a whole lot to go in their favor in order to earn a postseason spot. They site behind Baltimore, Oakland and Los Angeles for two wildcard spots and are damn near close to being eliminated from AL East contention, sitting behind both New York and Baltimore. 

That being said, Tampa could hold the future in their hands if they are able to go into the final series of the season at home against Baltimore with a shot at the postseason.