The Final Three

Every team plays their final three-game series of the regular season this weekend, with every game on Sunday starting at the same time. With most of the teams eliminated, let’s take a look at the last teams standing…

AL East

Blue Jays and Yankees are both at 91-68, with the Blue Jays holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Red Sox can’t win the division now so it’ll be one of those two. If the Jays merely keep pace with the Yankees, they’ll win the division. Whoever doesn’t win the East will get the top wild card, and the Red Sox will need to win at least two of their next three to stay ahead of the other wild card contenders (if those chasing them don’t just lose anyway).

AL Central

Most of these guys have been eliminated for a while, but the famous Detroit collapse and Cleveland run have those two tied at the top with the Guardians holding the tiebreaker. Detroit needs to win one more than Cleveland to take the division, but they do lead the Astros by a game (and also hold a tiebreaker) for that final wild card spot.

AL West

The Mariners have clinched the West for the first time since Ichiro was a rookie, and hold tiebreakers over all the other teams chasing them (they would likely finish tonight a game behind the East leaders, both of whom have the tiebreaker over Seattle), so the worst they’ll finish is as the second seed which earns them a bye. Outside shot of getting the top seed though. The Astros basically need to win out and get some help to get in now.

NL East

Philly clinched the division not that long ago and are within two games of Milwaukee for the top seed, though they have locked down the second seed for sure since the Dodgers can’t catch them anymore. The Mets still hold the last wild card spot, and need to stay ahead of the Reds and maybe the Diamondbacks too, as the tiebreaker situation gets a bit complicated down the line.

NL Central

The voodoo Brewers won the Central last weekend and are in control of the top seed unless they crap out and Philly overtakes them. The Cubs have guaranteed themselves at least the second wild card spot and hold the top spot by two games over the Padres, who may have the second tiebreaker since they’re tied head-to-head. The Reds cannot catch the Cubs but have a shot to steal the last spot from the Mets.

NL West

The Dodgers clinched the West again, and the Padres will play the Cubs in the wild card round no matter what. The only question is whether it will be at Wrigley or in San Diego. The Padres will play the Diamondbacks in their final series, and Arizona needs to basically sweep them (which helps the Cubs) and get some help to overtake both the Reds and the Mets.