As the regular season enters its final weekend, the American League side of the playoff bracket is a whirlwind of uncertainty.
The Mariners are the only AL team that has already clinched its division. The Blue Jays and Yankees also have punched their ticket to October, but they are tied for first in the AL East with three games left to play.
That leaves three AL berths up for grabs, with four clubs in the running.
The Tigers and Guardians are tied for first in the AL Central, but neither team is assured a postseason spot yet. The Red Sox, who are narrowly in possession of the second AL Wild Card spot, also have yet to clinch. The Astros, meanwhile, are currently on the outside looking in, sitting one game out in the race for the third AL Wild Card spot.
Here’s a look at what each of these four clubs is facing this weekend.
Guardians (86-73; T-1st in AL Central)
The Guardians have made a remarkable comeback after falling as many as 15 1/2 games behind the Tigers in early July, but their work isn’t done yet. Holding a head-to-head tiebreaker with Detroit, Cleveland will enter its series against the Rangers at Progressive Field with a magic number of three to clinch the AL Central.
Red Sox (87-72; 2nd in AL Wild Card)
Facing a Tigers club that is also battling for a postseason spot, the Red Sox’s magic number to clinch a Wild Card berth is one. One win over the Tigers gets them in. One Astros loss to the Angels would also give Boston a playoff spot.
Tigers (86-73; T-1st in AL Central; 3rd in AL Wild Card)
The Tigers not only let what was once an enormous AL Central lead slip away but also lost the season series to the Guardians, so they need some help from the Rangers against Cleveland to win the AL Central. On the plus side, Detroit still controls its own destiny in the AL Wild Card race. The Tigers will clinch with any combination of two wins or Astros losses.
Astros (85-74, 1 game behind DET for 3rd AL Wild Card)
The Astros have made the postseason in each of the past eight years, but even if they sweep the Angels this weekend, they’ll need some things to break their way elsewhere to extend their streak. Houston is not only one game out but would also lose tiebreakers to every team ahead of it. Most of the Astros’ playoff scenarios require them to win out, but they could also make it if they go 2-1 against the Angels and either the Guardians or the Tigers get swept.
