From mlb.com...
There are some scenarios -- a few crazy, the remainder a possibility -- that could result in some playoff games to get to the postseason if all the stars align come the end of play next Sunday.
What if all three divisions in the AL end in a tie?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), the Red Sox would play the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the White Sox would play the Indians at Jacobs Field and the A's would play the Angels at Angel Stadium. The loser with the best record wins the Wild Card.
What if two losers emerge from those games with the same record?
Next Tuesday (Oct. 4), the Yankees would play the Indians at The Jake; the Red Sox would play Cleveland at Fenway Park, and all combinations against the White Sox are yet to be determined. The A's or Angels probably won't have good enough records to qualify.
What if, in a highly unlikely event, all three losers wound up with the same record?
That would set up the dreaded two-tier Wild Card playoff. The loser with the total of the best head-to-head records against the other two would have the choice of sitting out the first game or having home-field advantage in both games. The winner of the first game would then play the team with the bye to determine the AL Wild Card winner.
What if three teams in the NL Wild Card race -- the Phillies, Marlins and Astros -- all wind up with the same record?
See above.
What if two teams in the AL Wild Card race finish with the same records?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), the Yankees would play the Indians at the Jake or the Red Sox would play Cleveland at Fenway Park. All combinations against the White Sox are yet to be determined.
What if two teams in the NL Wild Card race finish with the same records?
Next Monday, (Oct. 3), the Astros would play the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, or the Marlins would play the Phillies in Philadelphia, or the Astros would play the Marlins in Miami.
What if the Phillies tie the Braves for the NL East?
Next Monday (Oct.3), the Phillies would host the Braves.
What if those two teams tie for the NL East and the Astros finish with the same record?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), same as above. Next Tuesday (Oct. 4), if the Phillies lose the division playoff, they host the Astros in a Wild Card playoff game. If the Braves lose, where they play the Astros still must be determined.
What if the Giants tie the Padres in the NL West?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), San Francisco would play San Diego at PETCO Park.
What if the Yankees tie the Red Sox in the AL East?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), the Yankees would host the Red Sox.
What if the Indians and the White Sox are tied in the AL Central?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), the Indians would host the White Sox.
What if the A's and Angels are tied in the AL West?
Next Monday (Oct. 3), the Angels would host the A's.
