Each night in the 2016 baseball season we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from around Major League Baseball.
The American League wild-card scenario is a bit clearer heading into the final day of the regular season, as the Mariners' 9-8 loss to the Athletics in 10 innings delaminated them from postseason contention.
That still leaves the Orioles, Blue Jays and Tigers vying for the two AL wild-card spots.
Here's where the three wild-card contenders stand heading into Sunday, simplified where possible, because these scenarios can get ridiculously complex, including one that would see the Tigers play four different teams in four days:
Blue Jays (88-73): They clinch a wild-card spot if they win Sunday, regardless of any other outcome. If the Blue Jays lose, they can still get in if the Tigers lose. If the Jays finish with the same record as the Orioles, they will host the wild-card game. If they lose Sunday, the Orioles win and the Tigers win, the Tigers will host the Indians Monday to make up a game postponed by rain Thursday. If the Tigers win Monday to tie the Blue Jays at 88-74, the Blue Jays would host a one-game playoff Tuesday.
Orioles (88-73): The Orioles clinch a wild-card spot if they win Sunday, regardless of any other outcome. If they lose, they can still get in if the Tigers lose. If the Orioles finish with the same record as the Blue Jays, Toronto will host the wild-card game because it holds the first tiebreaker (head-to-head record) over the Orioles. If the Orioles lose Sunday, the Blue Jays win and the Tigers win, the Tigers will host the Indians Monday to make up a game postponed by rain Thursday. If the Tigers win Monday to tie the Orioles at 88-74, the Orioles would host a one-game playoff Tuesday.
Tigers (86-74): If both the Blue Jays and Orioles win, the Tigers will be eliminated. But if one of those teams loses, and the Tigers beat the Braves Sunday, the Tigers would host the Indians Monday in a makeup game of a rainout Thursday. If they win that game, they would play at either Toronto or Baltimore Tuesday.
Here's where it could get crazy. If all three teams end up with identical records, a far more complex tiebreaker is involved. MLB.com wrote an essay trying to explain the twisted scenario.
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Player of the day
Ivan De Jesus Jr., Reds: The Reds second baseman scored three runs and had a pair of doubles and walks in five plate appearances in the Reds 7-4 win over the Cubs
Highlight
Jedd Gyorko's eighth-inning shot proved the winning run in the Cardinals' 4-3 win over the Pirates.
Three things to know
— The Mets have clinched home-field advantage in the NL wild-card game. It's only the second time in franchise history the Mets have qualified for the postseason two seasons in a row; they also did it in 1999-2000.
— Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt stole his 30th base Saturday, a rare feat for a first baseman. Jeff Bagwell was the last first baseman to reach that mark, in 1999.
— White Sox right-hander James Shields gave up two home runs to the Twins Saturday, giving him an MLB-leading 40 home runs this year.
What's next
Dodgers (91-70) at Giants (86-75), 3:05 p.m. ET: This is it — after 67 seasons in the broadcast booth for the Dodgers, Vin Scully will call one final game. Plenty of baseball fans will tune in for the MLB Network broadcast, and don't be surprised if ESPN goes live to Scully's final call in the booth. Fittingly, the Dodgers are facing their greatest rivals, the Giants, and there is a playoff berth on the line for the Giants, who are battling the Cardinals for the second wild-card spot. The Giants will go with Matt Moore (12-12, 4.21 ERA), and the Dodgers will counter with Kenta Maeda, who is 16-10 with a 3.28 ERA.