The race for the final AL wild-card spot is down to the Astros, Angels and Twins after the Rangers and Yankees clinched playoff berths with wins Thursday.
The Rangers secured their spot with a 5-3 win over the Angels, improving to 45-26 since the All-Star break. The Rangers' (87-72) magic number to clinch the AL West is one as they finish up the season hosting the Angels.
Meanwhile, the Yankees (87-72) will play in the AL wild-card game Oct. 6 after their 4-1 win over the Red Sox. Ahead by three games in the wild-card standings with three to play, the Pinstripes are likely to host the elimination game, but who their opponent will be remains to be seen.
That leaves the Astros, Angels and Twins, who could possibly finish the season in a three-way tie, necessitating a two-game mini play-in tournament early next week. Here is how that would look.
Star Performers:
AL:
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado went 3 for 4 with two homers and three RBIs, three runs scored and two steals as the O's topped the Blue Jays 6-4. With the loss and a Royals win, Toronto and Kansas City are tied for best record and home-field advantage in the AL with three games to play. The Jays hold the tiebreaker.
NL:
Dodgers starter Brett Anderson earned an extra $400,000 in performance bonuses thanks to his outing against the Giants. By limiting the Giants to two runs on four hits over 7 2/3 innings, Anderson reached 180 innings on the season, but more importantly the Dodgers came away with the 3-2 win. Tied with the Mets for home-field advantage in the NLDS, the Dodgers will need more strong performances in their final three games against the Padres and hope the Mets struggle against the Nationals.
Top moments:
Giants starter Tim Hudson exits in the third inning to a standing ovation. The 40-year-old will retire at the end of the season.
Yankees reliever Adam Warren snares a ground ball off the bat of Boston's Sandy Leon with a no-look, behind-the-back play and tosses to first for the out.
Key injuries:
A day after Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain exited against the White Sox with a knee contusion, Royals slugger Kendrys Morales left in the top of the fifth because of left quad tightness. He is day to day.
A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)
Royals (92-67) at Twins (83-76), 8:10 p.m.: Trailing the Astros for the second wild-card spot by one game and tied with the Angels, the Twins are in desperate need of a series sweep against the Royals. The Twins will send Ervin Santana (7-4, 4.10 ERA) to the hill against Chris Young (11-6, 3.15 ERA). Santana has been stellar of late, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.47 ERA over his past six starts.
Astros (84-75) at Diamondbacks (78-81), 9:40 p.m.: With the Angels and Rangers squaring off in Arlington, the Astros travel to Arizona to finish the regular season with a three-game series against the D-backs. With their playoff hopes on the line, Dallas Keuchel (19-8, 2.47 ERA) will take the hill for Houston against Rubby De La Rosa (14-8, 4.56 ERA). The Astros' left-handed bats of Colby Rasmus, Luis Valbuena, Jason Castro and Marwin Gonzalez could play a big role, as left-handed batters have a .311 average against De La Rosa.