As all five teams have clinched a playoff spot in the American League I thought it was time to take a blind look at a few major categories for each team to decide who would be the best team in the AL without knowing who is who.

The categories are top three pitchers, last three in the bullpen (setup guys and closer) offense overall and offense in the 7th inning or later (All stats as of 10/2/12.)

Finally, the result for which team is which is at the very bottom of the page.

First up, Team A (19-9 in September):

Top starters: 29 wins, 3.47 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 273 K’s in 361 innings
Bullpen: 12 wins, 54 saves, 2.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 149 K’s in 208 innings
Offense: 710 runs, .249 BA, .313 OBP and .420 slugging percentage
7th inning plus: 207 runs, .234 BA, .300 OBP and .389 slugging

Team B (17-9 in September):

Top starters: 33 wins, 3.31 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 341 K’s in 451 innings
Bullpen: 10 wins, 38 saves, 2.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 205 K’s in 189.1 innings
Offense: 698 runs, .238 BA, .310 OBP and .403 slugging
7th inning plus: 224 runs, .230 BA, .305 OBP and .387 slugging

Team C (16-12 in September):

Top starters: 43 wins, 3.28 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 602 K’s in 579.1 innings
Bullpen: 13 wins, 38 saves, 3.68 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 194 K’s in 198 innings
Offense: 723 runs, .269 BA, .335 OBP and .424 slugging
7th inning plus: 206 runs, .253 BA, .324 OBP and .390 slugging

Team D (17-11 in September):

Top starters: 46 wins, 3.65 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 525 K’s in 604 innings
Bullpen: 11 wins, 45 saves 2.90 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 213 K’s in 180 innings
Offense: 786 runs, .263 BA, .335 OBP and .451 slugging
7th innings plus: 252 runs, .257 BA, .331 OBP and .442 slugging

Team E (15-13 in September):

Top starters: 46 wins, 3.96 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 494 K’s in 570.1 innings
Bullpen: 10 wins, 41 saves, 3.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 185 K’s in 178.1 innings
Offense: 802 runs, .274 BA, .334 OBP and .448 slugging
7th inning plus: 234 runs, .256 BA, .331 OBP and .409 slugging

What does all of this mean?  Looks like every team has a flaw of some sort.  The better pitching teams can’t seem to hit and the better hitting teams don’t pitch very well.

Looking at all of these stats proves that the AL playoffs are going to be a complete crap shoot and any team can win the pennant and go to the World Series.  The Tigers have just as good of a shot of winning as getting swept in the first round.  One thing is for certain, it should be fun to watch no matter what.

So is this a wide open pennant chase or does someone have a decided advantage despite the stats?  Let us know at @DSBloggers on Twitter or on Facebook or in the comments below to tell us what you, the fans, think.

A:Orioles

B: Athletics

C: Tigers

D: Yankees

E: Rangers