Finally, with two days left in the season, MLB has its American League playoff teams. The Oakland Athletics secured a spot in the postseason after defeating the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Monday night.
We know for a fact that they will be joining the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and the Rangers in the postseason, but the AL East and West have yet to have a definitive winner.
The Yankees took a one-game lead over the Orioles after winning on Monday. With two more games to go, they have to win one more game and hope that the Orioles lose to remain on top. Two Yankee wins, a Yankee win with an Orioles' loss or two Oriole losses give the Yankees the AL East.
Over in the AL West, the Rangers and Athletics are also separated by just one game.
All the Rangers have to do is win one more game and that is it. Their magic number is two. However, if the A's win tonight, Tuesday, they will be tied with the Rangers as they trail Texas by just one game.
Can this series be any more important?
The NL playoff picture is taking its shape as the St. Louis Cardinals or the Los Angeles Dodgers are fighting for the second Wild Card spot. The Cardinals are just one win away from clinching. They would face the Atlanta Braves in a one-game playoff.
Yankees' and Rangers' magic numbers are at two.
Yankees face the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 p.m. ET and the Rangers play the Athletics at 10:05 p.m. ET.
