:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20322781/182137099.0.jpg)
So today in the American League Wild Card race, the Rangers beat the Angels, the Indians beat the Twins, and the Rays lost to Toronto. As a result, we are set up for an exciting final Sunday of the regular season.
Cleveland is now sitting at 91-70, while the Rangers and the Rays are both at 90-71. Thus, heading into tomorrow, if the Rangers (who have Yu Darvish going) beat the Angels (who are starting Jason Vargas), then Texas is ensured another game, no matter what Cleveland and Tampa do.
Timing-wise, the Rays play at noon tomorrow, the Indians at 1 p.m., and the Rangers at 2 p.m. The Rays/Blue Jays game should be over before we get too far into the Rangers game, so Texas should know fairly early on if this is truly a "must-win" game.
If Cleveland wins tomorrow, they host the Wild Card game against either Tampa or Texas.
If the Rangers win and Tampa loses tomorrow, then Texas goes to Cleveland to play the Wild Card game on Wednesday, no matter what happens in the Indians/Twins game.
If Tampa and Texas both lose tomorrow, then Tampa comes to Texas to play a Game 163 on Monday to determine who goes to Cleveland for the Wild Card game. Similarly, if Tampa and Texas both win tomorrow, but Cleveland wins as well, then Tampa comes to Texas to play a Game 163 on Monday to determine who goes to Cleveland for the Wild Card game.
The big mess will come if the Rays and Rangers both win, and Cleveland loses. If that happens, then there will be a three way tie for the Wild Card. Tampa would play at Cleveland on Monday, with the winner hosting the Wild Card Game. The loser would go to Texas and play the Rangers on Tuesday in TBiA. with the winner of that game going to Cleveland to play on Wednesday. If it is Tampa v. Texas, Texas hosts the Wild Card Game. If it is Cleveland v. Texas, Cleveland hosts the Wild Card Game.
Bottom line...root for Toronto tomorrow.