Standings through 9/12

And the Astros manage to lose two out of three at home against the Cubs, putting yet more distance between the two teams. Houston needs just two more losses in their final 19 games to reach 100 on the season, although no bonus draft picks are awarded for reaching that milestone. Eight teams remain, and two more face elimination on Thursday.

Team	W	L	GB
Houston	45	98	0
Chicago Cubs	56	87	-11
Colorado	57	85	-12.5
Minnesota	59	84	-14
Cleveland	59	84	-14
Miami	63	81	-17.5
Boston	64	79	-19
Toronto	64	77	-20

Houston's magic number: 9

Eliminated from contention:

1. Washington, 8/23/12
2. Cincinnati, 8/25/12
3. Texas, 8/26/12
4. Atlanta, 8/28/12
   NY Yankees, 8/28/12
5. San Francisco, 8/29/12
6. Baltimore, 8/30/12
   Chicago Sox, 8/30/12
   Oakland, 8/30/12
7. Tampa Bay, 8/31/12
   St. Louis, 8/31/12
8. LA Dodgers, 9/1/12
   LA Angels, 9/1/12
   Detroit, 9/1/12
9. Pittsburgh, 9/2/12 
10. Arizona, 9/5/12 
11. Milwaukee, 9/7/12
12. Seattle, 9/8/12
    Philadelphia, 9/8/12
13. San Diego, 9/10/12
14. NY Mets, 9/12/12
    Kansas City, 9/12/12

Today's key games:

• Phi at Hou
• Sea at Tor (Toronto is eliminated with a win)
• NYA at Bos (Boston is eliminated with a win)