So...we're now down to the final series of the year. It looks like every team except the Braves have played 159 games. I didn't look, but I'm assuming the Braves got rained out and, now that they've clinched the NL East and are locked into the third best record among division winners, won't make up the game.
American League
- Tampa Bay has clinched the AL East and the best record in the AL
- The White Sox and Trashtros have clinched the AL Central and West divisions. Houston has a two game lead for the better record and the right to host the ALDS.
- The Yankees have a two game lead over the Red Sox and Mariners in the AL Wild Card race, and the Blue Jays are one game behind the Sox and Mariners.
- The Rays and Yankees play each other in the final series, so the Rays will get some say in who gets the two Wild Card spots.
- The Red Sox play in Washington against a really bad Nationals team.
- The Blue Jays host the Orioles.
- The Mariners host the Angels (FWIW, I heard on the radio this morning that Otani isn't going to pitch in what would be his normal spot on Sunday).
- The White Sox host the Tigers.
- The Astros host the A's.
I think it would be fantastic if the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners and Jays all finish with identical records. Alternatively, if the Yankees get swept and are left outside looking in, that'd be cool too. The Red Sox should sweep the Nats, but they seem to be pretty Jekyll and Hyde this season.
National League
Things are a bit more settled here.
- The Brewers and Braves are locked into the 2 and 3 spots respectively, so they have nothing to play for this weekend.
- The Dodgers remain 2 games back of the Giants, and whichever of them doesn't win the NL West will be the home team for the Wild Card game.
- The Cardinals have the #2 Wild Card spot. They only thing they have to play for this weekend is keeping their momentum going.
- The Brewers play in Los Angeles and should absolutely rest all of their top players and spend the weekend evaluating prospects.
- The Giants host the Padres. It's about time the Padres muster up some pride and play angry, but I suspect they bend over and take it like the little bitches they are.
REALLY not looking forward to having the Dodgers host the Cardinals in a 5:10 PDT game. There's a decent chance that both Scherzer and Wainwright take no-hitters into the 5th or 6th inning.