MLB announces three-way tiebreaker scenario for American League Wild Card

Feb 24, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; A detail of a MLB logo on the batters circle during a spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

While all division races across the National and American League are complete, there are still two races going on for the Wild Card spots in Major League Baseball’s postseason.

Both teams in the National League Wild Card race have secured their playoff spot, the only race being left for home field between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds.

However, in the American League, things are far murkier.

With two games to go (including today), the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians sit tied atop the American League Wild Card standings. Sitting one game behind them are the Texas Rangers, who are doing everything they can to mount a comeback and at least force a playoff.

So what happens if two teams tie with an identical record? Or even crazier, what if all three tie with the same record?

In short, if two teams tie, there will be a one game, winner take all contest with the winner of that game playing a winner take all game against the Wild Card leader.

Still with me?

Okay, now if the three teams tie, the Indians (thanks to their higher winning percentage among their record against the other two teams involved) would host the Tampa Bay Rays in Cleveland on Monday. The winner of that game would be deemed the Wild Card ‘winner’ with the loser then playing the Rangers in Arlington on Tuesday. The winner of that game would play the winner of the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Indians game which took place on Monday for a place in the American League Divisional round.

Got that?

A little messy, right?

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