Keep up with the final day of baseball's regular season
With five teams playing for the final three postseason spots and all the action unfolding at the same time, we know you couldn't possibly watch every minute of baseball's Sunday sprint to the finish. There's no need to worry, though: We've got it all covered for you.
Blue Jays hold on, and the playoff field is complete
The Blue Jays held on for a 2-1 win over the Red Sox, which ensured they host the wild-card matchup in the American League and ironed out the last remaining wrinkle of Sunday's playoff scenarios.
In the American League: The Blue Jays host the Orioles in the wild-card game, with the winner moving on to face the Rangers. The Indians have home-field advantage in their ALDS matchup with the Red Sox.
In the National League: The Mets host the Giants in the wild-card game, with the winner moving on to face the Cubs. The Nationals have home-field advantage in their NLDS matchup with the Dodgers.
Giants win! The National League is set
Never count the Giants out in an even year. But you already knew that, right? After a turbulent second half, the Giants are the NL's second wild-card team, thanks to a blowout of the Dodgers. They'll face New York in Wednesday's wild-card game. The prize for the winner of that one? A shot at the NL-best Cubs in the NLDS.
The Tigers are done, and this is why
Needing a strong finish to the regular season in Atlanta to keep hope alive, the Tigers' bats fell silent, and Detroit's season is over. What does that mean for the Blue Jays? A playoff spot! Something they might not yet realize as they take on the Red Sox at Fenway.
A Motown swing for the worse
Moments after momentum seemed to be shifting in Detroit's favor, things looked bleak for the Tigers. Trailing with three outs to go is tough enough, but a rally and help from the Red Sox was just too much to ask.
The Orioles are in the playoffs!
The first team to clinch a spot on the final day was Baltimore. The O's rode Matt Wieters' huge day to an easy win and a champagne celebration in the Bronx.
Once the Orioles' postseason ticket was punched, there was still plenty of drama in the American League, with the Blue Jays trying to hold off the Tigers for the right to meet Baltimore in the wild-card game.
Tigers miss big chance
Detroit saw a prime opportunity to tie the Braves slip away when they failed to score after JoseIglesias led off the eighth inning with a double. Victor Martinez struck out as a pinch hitter before Iglesias was doubled off second base on Ian Kinsler's hard liner to shortstop.
Hanley's blast erases Sanchez's no-no, Blue Jays' lead.
In holding the Red Sox hitless into the seventh inning, Aaron Sanchez had the longest no-hit bid of his career. But Hanley Ramirez's high home run over the left-field foul pole put an end to the no-hitter and pulled the Red Sox even with the Blue Jays.
Have a day, Matt Wieters
The Orioles needed a win to get into the postseason, and Matt Wieters took it upon himself to keep Baltimore from having to scoreboard watch Sunday afternoon. The Orioles catcher followed a mammoth, fourth-inning blast with another two-run shot in the sixth, which helped Baltimore to a 5-1 lead at Yankee Stadium.
Meanwhile, a home run by second basemanDevon Travis in Boston put the Blue Jays ahead in their attempt to clinch an AL wild-card berth.
Gillaspie goes camera surfing
The Giants might have had a comfortable lead, but Conor Gillaspie wasn't taking any chances in the season finale, as he scaled a railing (and camera) for an incredible catch to turn a foul ball into an out in San Francisco.
So about that chaos ...
Those hoping for a chaotic finish to the 2016 season might leave Sunday disappointed, barring some big changes on the scoreboard. Not only are the Giants up big at home, but also the Orioles are winning and the Tigers are losing in the American League. If Detroit can't rally in Atlanta, Baltimore and Toronto will lock up the two AL wild-card spots.
It's not looking good for the Cardinals
The Cardinals' chances of playing another game this season seem to be getting slimmer by the second as the Giants pour it on in San Francisco. If the Giants can make their big lead last, the stage should be set for a Madison Bumgarner vs. Noah Syndergaard showdown in the National League wild-card game.
Buxton shows off his wheels
OK, the Twins and White Sox weren't exactly playing for a postseason spot on the season's final day, but Byron Buxton's speed on his inside-the-park home run to lead off Sunday's game was just too impressive to ignore. It was a bright moment in a long season for Minnesota.
Giants honor Vin Scully, jump in front of Dodgers
Shortly after fans of both teams applauded Vin Scully in a rare moment of Dodgers-Giants unity at AT&T Park, San Francisco struck for two first-inning runs off Los Angeles starter Kenta Maeda. Feeling nervous yet, Cardinals fans? Remember: It doesn't matter what St. Louis does Sunday if San Francisco takes care of business at home.
Another day, another celebration for Big Papi
Before Sunday's game, the Red Sox honored David Ortiz with his biggest celebration yet and announced that Big Papi's No. 34 will be retired next season at Fenway Park. Just how large was the ceremony for Boston's retiring superstar? Both Danilo Medina, the president of Ortiz's native Dominican Republic, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred made the trip to Fenway to participate in festivities that included Mary J. Blige singing the national anthem and an emotional speech from Ortiz.
What's at stake Sunday?
For the Giants, Blue Jays and Orioles, it's simple: A win Sunday means a quick celebration and a trip to the wild-card game. The Tigers and Cardinals need some help along the way. In addition to wild-card berths, the Indians and Red Sox are running neck-and-neck in the race for home-field advantage in their ALDS matchup.
The games that matter most
As David Schoenfield writes, it's going to feel like the postseason has already started in many stadiums across the majors. These are the games that will decide who keeps playing after Sunday.
American League
Blue Jays at Red Sox: The Blue Jays can clinch a wild-card spot with a win, and the Red Sox are still battling the Indians for ALDS home-field advantage in David Ortiz's final regular-season game.
Orioles at Yankees: After blowing a chance to clinch a wild-card berth Saturday, the Orioles hand the ball to Kevin Gausman with hopes of punching their postseason ticket on the season's final day.
Tigers at Braves: The Tigers need a win Sunday and some help in the AL wild-card race -- namely, a loss by the Blue Jays or Orioles -- to extend their season another day.
Indians at Royals:The Indians know they will play the Red Sox in the ALDS on Thursday. However, where that game takes place remains to be seen.
National League
Dodgers at Giants: We know the Giants will play at least one more game after Sunday. With a win, their next matchup would come Wednesday in a wild-card road game against the Mets. But if the Giants lose and the Cardinals win Sunday, San Francisco will have to hit the road for a Monday tiebreaker in St. Louis.
Pirates at Cardinals: Just how important this game is comes down to how the Giants do Sunday, so Cardinals fans will have to juggle a heavy dose of scoreboard watching with a must-win game at Busch Stadium.
