MLB AL Wild Card standings update: It comes down to game 162

There are 162 games in the MLB regular season, and we’re going to need all of them to determine the American League playoffs — and even then, a tiebreaking Game 163 might be required. Two teams guaranteed of enjoying October baseball, the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals, both lost, meaning Detroit failed to claim the Central title and Kansas City failed to gain a game on the Tigers, setting up for a crazy final day of the regular season, and it might require some tiebreakers before the MLB playoffs.

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There’s plenty of potential for high drama, but the results could be as simple as this: if the Tigers win today, or if Kansas City loses today, Detroit is the Central champion, Kansas City lands a Wild Card berth. If the Oakland Athletics win today, they land a Wild Card berth, and will face whoever does not win the AL Central.

If the Royals win, and the Tigers and Athletics lose, well, the American League playoffs become a lot more complicated and could require some tiebreakers; the Royals would travel to Comerica Park in Detroit for a Game 163 to decide the Central winner; the loser would be forced to the do-or-die Wild Card game.

If the Athletics lose, and the still-alive Seattle Mariners win, a one-game playoff to determine the second Wild Card between the two would be required. Kansas City (or Detroit) will be the first Wild Card, and the Mariners will not be able to host the WC game, but could force a playoff to get into the game. Seattle’s elimination number is at one, so Oakland must lose for the Mariners to have a chance.

And if these crazy possibilities aren’t enough for you, most of the teams have their aces throwing to extend their seasons.

David Price takes the mound for Detroit against the Minnesota Twins, Yordano Ventura gets the ball for Kansas City in Chicago against the White Sox, Sonny Gray will try to pitch Oakland into the playoffs against the Texas Rangers, and Cy Young contender Felix Hernandez will try to keep the pressure on the A’s when he takes the hill against the Los Angeles Angels.

Standings (x indicates clinched playoff berth):

Detroit Tigers(x): 89-72, +1.0 in AL Central
Kansas City Royals(x): 88-73, 1.0 GB in Central, +1 game in Wild Card
Oakland Athletics: 87-74, –
Seattle Mariners: 86-75, 1.0 GB, E#1

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