MLB Playoff Picture Update: The Rays clinch the final playoff spot

American League East

The Yankees have already clinched this division.

American League Central

The Twins have already clinched this division

American League West

The Astros have already clinched this division

American League Wildcard

This was the only American League race that wasn’t decided heading into the final series of the year, but it take long for that to change. The Indians, who will forever be looked at as a cautionary tale for assuming you will cruise to a division championship, were trailing by two games with two to go, essentially meaning they had to win each of their remaining three games to have a chance. The team just didn’t get it done down the stretch, and that was the case on Friday as well. Washington took care of business thanks to a five-run seventh that allowed them to run away with an 8-2 victory. That all but sealed the race for the Rays, but things were officially sealed not long after Cleveland loss. Tampa Bay took care of business themselves against the Blue Jays to clinch the wildcard berth. So, the Wildcard Game will officially be between Oakland and Tampa Bay. These two teams are still battling for home field in the game, and with the Mariners walkoff win over the Athletics on Friday the race for homefield is tied.

AL Playoff Picture

So, here is how things are shaping up right now, with seeding included

(1) Houston vs. (4)Athletics/(5) Rays

(2) Yankees vs. (3) Twins

The race for home field is set as well with Houston holding a two-game lead and the tiebreaker over the Yankees. So, the only piece of information missing is who will host the Wildcard Game.

National League East

The Braves have already clinched this division.

National League Central

This is the final division race worth following in all of baseball, with the red-hot Brewers trying to catch the only mildly hot Cardinals. Milwaukee entered the day trailing by only a game, with a chance to tie things up with a win and a St. Louis loss. The Brewers, somewhat surprisingly, couldn’t get it done. They are in Colorado for their final series of the year, and the Rockies scored a whopping seven runs in the fifth. Milwaukee tried to mount a comeback with five runs over the last two innings, but it was too little too late in an 11-7 loss. So, the Cardinals could all but seal things up with a win over the shorthanded Cubs, but they too failed to take care of business. The Cubs had a seven-run inning of their own that catapulted them to an 8-2 win. So, after all that things stay the same. The Cardinals can clinch on Saturday with a Brewers loss and a win of their own. On the flip side, if Milwaukee wins and St. Louis loses, this will be all tied up heading into Sunday’s finale.

National League West

The Dodgers have already clinched this division.

National League Wildcard

This one is all but wrapped up as well. With the Nationals winning on Saturday while both Milwaukee and St. Louis lost, Washington opened up a two-game lead for home field in this race. Both the Brewers and Cardinals do hold the tiebreaker for home field, though, so it’s not officially over.

National League Playoff Picture

(1) Dodgers vs. (4) Nationals/(5) Brewers/Cardinals

(2) Braves vs. (3) Cardinals/Brewers