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Each recreation on the ultimate scheduled day of the MLB common season begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, with the hope that some type of loopy, compelling situations play out, just like what occurred on the ultimate day of the 2011 common season.
That definitely is feasible in 2021. Fingers crossed.
Let’s check out the playoff berths/hierarchy nonetheless in play heading into the ultimate three days of the regular-season schedule.
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Nationwide League West
Earlier than we speak about situations for the NL West, now we have to speak about WHY profitable the division is so darn vital. The division winner strikes on to the best-of-five NLDS, which begins Oct. 8, and could have home-field benefit all through the playoffs. The West runner-up would be the first NL wild-card group, that means they host the win-or-go-home one-game wild-card “collection” on Oct. 6. In the event that they win that one, they’d transfer to the NLDS towards … the NL West winner, which would be the group with MLB’s greatest file. And in the event that they win that collection, regardless of that they’d have a significantly better regular-season file than both Milwaukee or Atlanta, they wouldn’t have home-field within the NLCS as a result of they’re a wild-card group.
The one-game wild-card collection is a scary thought, and it’s hardly a good reward for a group that’s been one of many best in baseball all season. Possibly “honest” is a poor alternative of phrases. However the reality is that this: The Giants and Dodgers have the most effective two information in baseball, however one in every of them might very nicely be eradicated on Day 2 of the 2021 postseason. What sort of playoff system is that, the place a 102-win group goes instantly right into a do-or-die recreation and a sub-90 win group (the Braves) will get the cushion of enjoying a best-of-five collection? That they’d must play a Cardinals group that simply rattled off a 17-game profitable streak to clinch the second NL wild-card spot isn’t precisely interesting, both.
Now, on to the situation, which is fairly primary. Listed here are the information:
SFG 104-54, —
LAD 102-56, 2 video games again
Each groups are enjoying nice proper now — they’re each 8-2 of their previous 10 — as they’ve all season. The Giants end at house with three towards the Padres, who’re simply enjoying spoiler after a disastrous previous month; the Dodgers end with three at house towards the Brewers, who’re already locked into the No. 2 seed within the NL playoffs.
The group with the most effective file wins the division, clearly. In the event that they’re tied, they’ll play a tiebreaker contest, a Recreation 163 that may depend as a regular-season recreation. That recreation would be Oct. 4, and the Giants would host, because of their 10-9 benefit within the regular-season collection towards the Dodgers.
So, yeah. The Dodgers want the Giants to lose two video games towards the Padres to have any shot. One win ensures the Giants a tie, two ensures the division title.
AL wild card
As of Friday morning, with three video games every remaining for the 4 groups nonetheless in play for the 2 AL wild-card spots, there are 24 totally different situations nonetheless in play — together with a four-way tie at 91-71 (although that’s removed from probably). The rationale for thus many situations is that this: Not one of the 4 groups performs one another, so all 4 might go 3-0 or all 4 might go 0-3 or any mixture in between.
There are not any tiebreakers in figuring out precise playoff berths; if two (or extra) groups are tied for the final spot within the postseason, there will probably be a tiebreaker recreation (or video games). Now, if two groups tie for the No. 1 wild-card seed, each are in and home-field benefit for the wild-card recreation is set by head-to-head file this season.
First, listed below are the standings …
NYY 91-68, +2
SEA 89-70, —
BOS 89-70, —
TOR 88-71, 1 again of second WC spot
So the Yankees are at the moment WC1, with the Pink Sox and Mariners tied for WC2.
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The Yankees are clearly in nice form, as they need to be after happening the street and sweeping the Pink Sox, then taking two of three in Toronto in one other large collection. They host Tampa Bay — the Rays have already clinched the AL’s No. 1 seed, however at 98 wins they’ve a shot at 100 for the primary time in franchise historical past, and so they aren’t going to roll over — within the closing three video games, and even one win ensures the Yankees not less than a spot in a possible tiebreaker recreation. If the Yankees go 2-1, they’re in as the highest wild-card group.
The Pink Sox are within the strategy of making a gift of their seat on the desk. They’re tied with the Mariners for the second wild-card spot, nevertheless it certain seems like they’re not making the postseason. Getting swept at house by the Yankees was unhealthy sufficient, however to comply with that up by going to Baltimore and shedding two of three to an Orioles group that has 107 losses this season? That ought to rattling close to be disqualifying by itself. The Sox end with three on the Nationals, one other group lengthy since out of rivalry, however even the Unhealthy Information Bears would give Boston bother proper about now.
On the opposite facet of the coin, the Mariners are enjoying nice baseball, having received 10 of 11 — together with seven Ws towards the A’s, which knocked Oakland out of the playoff image — to climb right into a tie for the second wild-card spot. Not gonna lie, that felt like an impossibility for a lot of the season. However right here they’re, and so they end with three at house towards the Angels. They’ll have face Shohei Ohtani, the hitter, however he received’t take the mound within the collection. Contemplating that he’s allowed two or fewer runs in 9 of his previous 11 begins, that’s in all probability good for Seattle. The Mariners, as you in all probability know, haven’t made the postseason since 2001, the longest present streak in baseball.
The Blue Jays had probably the most opportunistic final-week schedule, internet hosting a group they had been chasing (the Yankees) after which internet hosting the AL’s worst membership. However they misplaced two of three to New York and just about have to comb the Orioles, then hope the Yankees, Mariners and Pink Sox stumble.
Let’s take a look at a few situations — not all 24 as a result of who has time?
First, let’s say the standings after Recreation 162 look precisely just like the standings do now, with the Yankees on high, the Mariners and Sox tied and the Jays a recreation again. Toronto’s eradicated, in fact, and the Yankees are WC1. The Mariners and Pink Sox would play a tiebreaking Recreation 163 in Boston; the Sox get homefield benefit as a result of they received the season collection, 4-3. Straightforward sufficient.
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In our subsequent situation, let’s say the Yankees lose two of three to the Rays and the M’s and Sox each sweep, so these three groups are tied at 92-70. Let’s simply take it straight from MLB.com.
The three groups would select/obtain A, B and C designations. Membership A would host Membership B. The winner of that recreation can be one Wild Card membership, whereas the loser would then play Membership C on the street to find out the opposite. The winners of the 2 video games would face one another within the Wild Card Recreation.
The subsequent one we’ll take a look at appears perhaps probably the most believable. On this one, the Yankees end with the most effective file, and the M’s, Sox and Jays all end tied. Once more, instantly from MLB.com.
The three tied groups would select/obtain A, B and C designations. Membership A would host Membership B on Monday, Oct. 4. The winner of that recreation would then host Membership C on Tuesday to find out the second Wild Card spot. The AL Wild Card Recreation can be pushed again from Tuesday on this situation.
And, as a result of everybody loves chaos, let’s say the Yankees are swept by the Rays, the Jays sweep the Orioles and the Pink Sox and Mariners each go 2-1. Everybody can be 91-71. You understand how this works … straight from MLB.com.
If the Yankees, Pink Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners had been to all wind up tied for these two spots, we’d have a mini-tournament on our arms. The golf equipment would select/obtain their A, B, C and D designations. On Monday, Oct. 4, Membership A would host Membership B and Membership C would host Membership D. The winners of these two video games can be the Wild Card groups and would face one another within the ballpark of whoever had the superior head-to-head file.
Would not that be enjoyable?
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