MLB Playoff Picture Still Murky

The MLB wildcard has made the last few weeks of the baseball season very exciting, and the NL and AL playoff races are facing a furious finish.

The Senior Circuit is the clearest of the two playoff races, with the Cincinnati Reds (92-61) clinching a National League Central title over the weekend and the San Francisco Giants (89-64) securing the National League West crown.

The Washington Nationals (92-60) are on top in the NL East and have clinched their first playoff spot in DC since the move from Canada.

The Atlanta Braves (88-65) are in second place and are four and a half games back with only ten games to play.

The Braves lead the wild card race with the last spot still under contention.

The St. Louis Cardinals (82-71) have won six of seven contests to stay 2.5 games ahead of Milwaukee (79-73) for the second NL Wild Card spot.

Can the Brewers close?

The American League race is a bit more complex.

The Chicago White Sox (81-71) have a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers (80-72) in the American League Central.

The American League East-leading New York Yankees (88-64) have a one-game edge on the Baltimore Orioles (87-65).

The Texas Rangers (90-62) reduced their magic number to clinch the AL West to seven over the Oakland A's (86-66).

The LA Angels (84-69) are just 2.5 games behind Oakland for the final AL Wild Card spot.

Check out all the standings here.

The season ends on Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

(Image: WENN)