With baseball’s regular season down to six games, four of the six divisions still haven’t been decided and there are seven playoff spots up for grabs, five in the American League.
Sunday was eventful with the AL East-leading Blue Jays clinching at least a wild card and the Brewers wrapping up a threepeat in the NL Central.
Also, the AL Central-leading Tigers’ shocking collapse continued, the surging Reds passed the slumping Mets for the last NL wild-card spot and the first-place Mariners swept the second-place Astros on the road to go three games up in the AL West.
Here is what occurred on Sunday:
In Baltimore, Ben Rice hit a tie-breaking grand slam in a six-run 10th inning in a 7-1 Yankees win over the Orioles. By taking three of four in their final road series, the Yankees hiked their lead over the Red Sox to three games for the first AL wild card and stayed two games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East.
In New York, the Mets dropped out of playoff with a 3-2 loss to the Nationals in their home finale. The Mets have loss 11 of 15 and are 35-52 since winning on June 12 to build a 5 ½-game NL East lead over the Phillies, who won the division going away last week.
In Detroit, the Tigers stayed a game up on the Guardians in the AL Central despite losing 6-2 to the Braves. On its final homestand, Detroit was 0-6 and outscored 36-14. Next up are six road games to finish the season, the first three in Cleveland.
In Kansas City, the Blue Jays beat the Blue Jays 8-5 to become the first AL club to clinch a playoff spot. They’re next goal is holding off the Yankees to win the AL East crown. Toronto has a two-game lead and owns the tiebreaker.
In Minneapolis, the Guardians’ 10-game losing streak ended with a 6-2 loss to the Twins, but they maintained their last AL wild-card spot over the Astros (on a tiebreaker) and stayed a game behind the Tigers heading in this showdown series, which begins Tuesday night in Cleveland.
In Houston, J.P. Crawford hit a grand slam in a seven-run second inning and the AL West-leading Mariners held on for a 7-3 win over the second-place Astros, who started the weekend tied for first but now are three games back and also out of a wild-card spot on a tiebreaker with the Reds.
In Tampa, the Rays scored three first-inning runs in a 7-3 win over the Red Sox, who stayed a game ahead of the Guardians and Astros for the second AL wild card.
In Chicago, Fernando Tatis Jr. homered and the Padres inched closer to clinching a playoff spot with a 3-2 win over the White Sox. San Diego holds the second NL wild-card spot and is five games ahead of the Reds and Mets, who are tied for the third.
In St. Louis, the Brewers lost to the Cardinals 5-1, but still clinched their third consecutive NL Central title with the second-place Cubs losing to the Reds. The Brewers also maintained their three-game edge over the Phillies for top seed in the NL playoffs.
In Cincinnati, the Reds extended their winning streak to five with a 1-0 win over the Cubs that has them ahead of the Mets by a game for the last NL wild-card spot. Gavin Lux drove in the only run of the game with a two-out double in the third inning.
In Los Angeles, the Giants wiped out a 1-0 deficit in a three-run seventh and beat the Dodgers 3-1 to avoid a four-game sweep and get to three games out of the last NL wild-card spot. The Dodgers, who already have clinched a playoff spot, had their NL West lead over the Padres cut to three games.
In Phoenix, Corbin Carroll capped a five-run second with a three-run homer and Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks, who slayed the Phillies 9-2 to get to with a game of the last NL wild-card spot. Arizona trails both the Reds and Mets.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules and tiebreakers for the contenders through Sunday, Sept. 21 along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Monday, Sept. 22:
AL EAST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (90-66)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Yankees by 2 games.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays won season series with Yankees 8-5; Blue Jays won season series with Mariners 4-2; Blue Jays trail season series with Astros 3-1. Blue Jays won season series with Tigers 4-3; Blue Jays split season series with Guardians 3-3.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 4
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 21.
Games remaining: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Red Sox, 7:07 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Red Sox, 7:07 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Red Sox, 7:07 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Rays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
NEW YORK YANKEES (88-68)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 2 games. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Guardians and Astros by 4 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees lost season series with Blue Jays 8-5; Yankees lost season series with Red Sox 9-4; Yankees tied season series with Astros 3-3; Yankees won season series with Mariners 5-1; Yankees lost season series with Tigers 4-2; Yankees tied season series with Guardians 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Games remaining: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Yankees schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: White Sox, 7:05 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: White Sox, 7:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: White Sox, 7:05 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Orioles, 7:05 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Orioles, 1:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Orioles, 3:05 p.m., EST
BOSTON RED SOX (85-71)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 5 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Lead Guardians and Astros by 1 game for 3rd AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox won season series with Yankees 9-4; Red Sox tied season series with Mariners 3-3; Red Sox won season series with Astros 4-2; Red Sox won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Games remaining: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Tigers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Tigers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Tigers, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL CENTRAL
DETROIT TIGERS (85-71)
Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place Guardians by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Tigers trail season series with Guardians 6-4; Tigers lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Tigers lost season series with Blue Jays 4-3; Tigers won season series with Yankees 4-2; Tigers won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 6
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Tigers schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Guardians, 6:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Guardians, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Guardians, 6:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Red Sox, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m., EST
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (84-72)
Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place Tigers by 1 game. Tied with Astros for third AL wild card. Guardians hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Guardians lead season series with Tigers 6-4; Guardians lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Guardians won season series with Astros 4-2; Guardians lost season series with Red Sox 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Guardians schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Tigers, 6:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Tigers, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Tigers, 6:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Rangers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rangers, 6:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rangers, 3:10 p.m., EST
AL WEST
SEATTLE MARINERS (87-69)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead Astros by 3 games.
Tiebreakers: Mariners won season series with Astros 8-5; Mariners won season series with Tigers 4-2; Mariners won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Mariners schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Rockies, 9:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Rockies, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Rockies, 9:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Dodgers, 3:10 p.m., EST
HOUSTON ASTROS (84-72)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Mariners by 3 games. Tied with Guardians for third AL wild card. Guardians have tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Astros lost season series with Mariners 8-5; Astros lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Astros lost season series with Guardians 4-2; Astros lost season series with Tigers 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Astros schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Athletics, 10:05 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Athletics, 10:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Athletics, 3:35 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Angels, 3:07 p.m., EST
NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (92-64)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets by 12 games.
Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 4-2; Phillies lost season series with Brewers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Phillies schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Marlins, 6:45 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Marlins, 6:45 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Marlins, 6:05 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Twins, 7:45 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Twins, 7:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Twins, 3:05 p.m., EST
NEW YORK METS (80-76)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 12 games. Tied with Reds for third NL wild-card standings. Reds have tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Mets won season series with Giants 4-2; Mets lost season series with Reds 4-2; Mets tied season series with Diamondbacks 3-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Mets schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Cubs, 7:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Cubs, 8:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Cubs, 7:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Marlins, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Marlins, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (95-61)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 7 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers won season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: Clinched Sept. 21.
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Brewers schedule:
Monday, Sept. 22: at Padres, 9:40 p.m., EST
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Padres, 9:10 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Padres, 4:10 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Reds, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Reds, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Reds, 3:10 p.m., EST
CHICAGO CUBS (88-68)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 7 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds and Mets by 8 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs tied season series with Padres 3-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 16.
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Cubs schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Mets, 7:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Mets, 8:05 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Mets, 7:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Cardinals, 3:20 p.m., EST
CINCINNATI REDS (80-76)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 15 games. Tied with Mets for third in NL wild-card standings.
Tiebreakers: Reds won season series with Mets 4-2; Reds tied season series with Giants 3-3; Reds won season series with Diamondbacks 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Reds schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Pirates, 6:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Pirates, 6:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Pirates, 12:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Brewers, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Brewers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Brewers, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (88-68)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 3 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers won season series with Padres 9-4; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 4-2; Dodgers lost season series with Brewers 6-0.
Magic number to clinch NL West: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 19.
Remaining games: 6 (0 home, 6 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: at Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: at Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: at Diamondbacks, 3:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Mariners, 3:10 p.m., EST
SAN DIEGO PADRES (85-71)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 3 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds and Mets by 5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres lost season series with Dodgers 9-4; Padres won season series with Mets 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 2
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Padres schedule:
Monday, Sept. 22: Brewers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Brewers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Brewers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m., EST
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (79-77)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 9 games. Fifth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Reds and Mets by 1 game for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Diamondbacks tied season series with Mets 3-3; Diamondbacks won season series with Giants 7-6; Diamondbacks lost season series with Reds 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 6 (3 home, 3 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Tuesday, Sept. 23: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Thursday, Sept. 25: Dodgers, 3:40 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: at Padres, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Padres, 3:10 p.m., EST
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (77-79)
Standings: Fourth in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 11 games. Sixth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Reds and Mets by 3.5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Giants lost season series with Diamondbacks 7-6; Giants tied season series with Reds 3-3; Giants lost season series with Mets 4-
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 4
Remaining games: 6 (6 home, 0 road).
Giants schedule:
Monday, Sept. 23: Cardinals, 9:45 p.m., EST
Tuesday, Sept. 24: Cardinals, 9:45 p.m., EST
Wednesday, Sept. 25: Cardinals, 9:45 p.m., EST
Friday, Sept. 26: Rockies, 10:15 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rockies, 4:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rockies, 3:05 p.m., EST
POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Blue Jays (1), Mariners (2), byes
Guardians (6) at Tigers (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Phillies (2), byes
Reds (6) at Dodgers (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)