AL roundup: A team-by-team look at clubs fighting for postseason contention

Here's a look at the American League's contending teams as the season arrives at September. Baltimore: The Orioles beat the pitching-rich Rays three of four and with the way things are going, they look much like last season's World Series champion Red Sox. Everything is going right for the Orioles. Well, almost everything. Ubaldo Jimenez has been bad, but lefty Andrew Miller was a brilliant move for the bullpen. And when was the last time there were concerns about the rotation not going deep into games? Adam Jones is an AL MVP candidate. Chris Tillman has become a legit ace. Detroit: A month ago, after getting pitcher David Price in a trade, the Tigers appeared heading to the World Series. Now they might not make the playoffs. The bullpen is worn out. Starter Anibal Sanchez is out with an injury and ace Justin Verlander is hurting. So is the Tigers' other franchise player, Miguel Cabrera. Kansas City: The surprising Royals are taking advantage of the slumping Tigers. Eric Hosmer, who has missed August with an injured right hand, is close to starting a rehab assignment, and his return would be a boost. The Royals have rotation questions: Yordano Ventura, a prospect with a bright future, is showing wear and former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie is hot and cold. Danny Duffy is another young pitcher who hasn't dealt with the September rigors. Manager Ned Yost made a surprising statement, saying that if the Royals win the AL Central, James Shields would be lined up to start Game 1 of the playoffs. Los Angeles: Big question for the Angels: How much will they miss starter Garrett Richards in the rotation? The Angels turned their season around with the midseason additions of Jason Grilli and closer Huston Street to the bullpen. There's plenty of firepower in the lineup with Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun. The middle infielders, second baseman Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar, are often overlooked. Pujols is one of three former Cardinals that are keys for the Angels. The other two are third baseman David Freese and reliever Fernando Salas. New York: The Yankees, who have six games left with the Orioles, have pulled out all the stops and acquired everyone from Chase Headley to Brandon McCarthy. But their chances of catching the Orioles are slim at best. For that to happen, the Orioles would have to have a major collapse and the Yankees would have to play .700 ball in September. Neither scenario is likely, leaving Derek Jeter's final month in pinstripes anticlimactic. Oakland: The A's traded power (Yoenis Cespedes) for more pitching (Jon Lester) and now they are in dogfight for first in the AL West. The A's still lead the AL in runs, but they are middle of the pack since Aug. 1. Jonny Gomes has no home runs since coming over from Boston to replace Cespedes, and Coco Crisp, the leadoff batter and center fielder, is struggling as well. The A's have a strong bullpen, but closer Sean Doolittle is on the disabled list, leaving Eric O'Flaherty as the closer. Jeff Samardzija and Lester have fortified the rotation, but lefty Scott Kazmir is getting extra rest. His innings total is his highest since throwing 200-plus in 2007. Seattle: The Mariners' strength is pitching, but in August, they had some of the best run production in the AL. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma are no surprises at the top of the rotation, but ex-Nats farmhand Chris Young is a big one. Lefty James Paxton has been strong since coming off the disabled list. Robinson Cano has been a force all season and third baseman Kyle Seager has added consistent power.