The race is on for the American and National League Wild Card spots. While the divisional battles are a little more clear-cut, the fight for the last ticket into the postseason is making for some interesting MLB betting. There are a few teams in action this weekend that are heavily motivated by the Wild Card hunt.

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers
The Rangers have been a surprise team all season. That shocking play has them just two games behind Boston for the AL Wild Card spot. Texas is red-hot in September, posting a 7-2 record this month with most of those wins coming on the road.

The Rangers return to Arlington to host the Seattle Mariners for the weekend, where they have the best home record in the AL West at 44-25. Texas' bats have been on fire this week, totaling 31 runs during its three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians. For September, the Rangers are hitting a collective .308 and averaging more than six runs per outing – including 15 total home runs.

Slugger Josh Hamilton is expected to return from a pinched nerve in his lower back this weekend. He is batting .333 and has two home runs and three RBI in his three games this month. Outfielder Marlon Byrd has been a machine at the plate, hitting over .400 and registering 10 RBI in September.

Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins
Florida is another team riding its bats during this Wild Card race. The Marlins entered play on Thursday just six games out of the NL East lead and 5.5 games back of the NL Wild Card spot. The Fish had won seven of their last 10 games and return to South Florida for a weekend set with the Nationals.

Florida is hitting an NL-best .302 this month and had scored an average of over six runs per game heading into Thursday's series finale with the New York Mets. The starting pitching is also finding its top form in recent games. Ricky Nolasco was solid in his most recent appearance, and Josh Johnson continues to be the ace of the rotation.

The Marlins are 11-4 against the Nationals this season and recently took two of three games in Washington this past weekend. Florida has scored an average of 6.6 runs and hit .298 in their 15 meetings this year. Slugging shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who leads the NL in batting average, is hitting over .400 with four home runs and 20 RBI against the Nats this season.

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres
The Rockies are stirring up memories of the 2007 season when they battled their way into the postseason and eventually won the NL pennant. Colorado had lost just once in September heading into Thursday and were holding a four-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card race. The Rox are also hot on the heels of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Colorado 's pitching has been the backbone of this recent run. The team boasts a collective ERA of 3.11 this month and had allowed more than three runs just three times in September. Staff ace Jason Marquis leads the pack of talented pitchers. Marquis recently grabbed his 15th win of the season by shutting down the Cincinnati Reds for just one run on four hits while striking out seven batters. Marquis will take the bump against the Padres in Sunday's series finale.

The Rockies’ bats have held their own during this extended homestand but now hit the road for the next nine games. Colorado bats just .241 on the road, compared to their NL-best .289 batting average at home, and scores just four runs per road game, compared to almost six runs per game at home this season.


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