Angels become first team to clinch spot in 2014 postseason

More: Matt Shoemaker, dominant offense lead Angels back to postseason

Thanks to Monday's night blowout win over the Mariners (LAA 8, SEA 1), the Angels are the first team to clinch a postseason berth this year. They have baseball's best record at 94-56 and have clinched no worse than the second wild-card spot.

Of course, the win over Seattle also gives the Halos a very comfortable 10.5-game lead over the idle Athletics in the AL West. They can clinch the division title as soon as Wednesday and the team has decided not to celebrate until then:

The Angels have not been to the postseason since the 2009 season, when they lost to the Yankees in the ALCS. That team was led by Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins and John Lackey, among others. Yeah, it's been a while.

Los Angeles went to the postseason six times from 2002-09, including winning the 2002 World Series. That is the only championship in franchise history. Their three other postseason trips came in 1979, 1982 and 1986.

With 12 games remaining, the Angels have a good chance to become baseball's first 100-win team since the 2011 Phillies (102 wins).

Related Links

• Angels clinch playoff spot, beat Mariners 8-1

• Orioles hold off Jays, clinch tie for AL East title

• DeGrom fans first eight