The AL Central looks like a limp to the finish, but even limps can provide drama. Elsewhere, the AL East, AL wild cards and seedings are still very much in play. It's a partial schedule on Monday, but there's plenty of drama to be found.
Playoff Picture page | Sunday scoreboard | Three-day schedule
Monday's five biggest games ...
1. Blue Jays at Orioles (2), 4:05 p.m. ET and TBD
The stakes remain high in the AL East, as only one game separates the first-place Yankees from the Orioles. The double-dip in Baltimore means that the O's could be alone in first place by the end of play on Monday. Steve Johnson and Wei-Yin Chen take up the cause for Baltimore.
2. Royals at Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET
The limp to the finish in the AL Central continues. Might the Tigers win a game? They'll be trotting out Justin Verlander to begin a four-game home set against KC. He'll oppose Luke Hochevar and his 5.40 ERA.
3. A's vs. Rangers, 8:05 p.m. ET
It's a fairly brutal end-of-season schedule for the A's, as they play the Rangers seven times over the final 10 games. In this one, Dan Straily opposes Derek Holland. Texas's grip on the No. 1 seed in the AL is slipping, as they lead the Yankees by just two games.
4. Indians vs. White Sox, 8:10 p.m. ET
The Sox will start ace Chris Sale, who's notched 18 quality starts out of 27 starts this season. But can they score any runs? Over the course of their five-game losing streak, the Pale Hose have managed just eight runs.
5. Yankees vs. Twins, 8:10 p.m. ET
Andy Pettitte makes his second start since returning from the DL, and he'll be allowed 85-90 pitches. The Twins counter with Liam Hendricks, who's coming off his best outing of the season.
Magic Numbers
NL WC1: Braves 2
NL East: Nationals 6
AL West: Rangers 7
AL WC2: Orioles 7
NL WC2: Cardinals 8
AL WC2: A's 8
AL East: Yankees 10
AL Central: White Sox 10
Grim Reaper Watch
If the Cardinals defeat the Astros, then the Padres (despite a 39-27 record since the break) will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The following teams have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs: Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Indians, Twins, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Mets and Royals.
Playoff chances, via coolstandings.com
AL East champion
Yankees 80.1%
Orioles 19.8%
Rays 0.2%
AL Central champion
White Sox 68.4%
Tigers 31.6%
AL West champion
Rangers 88.7%
A's 11.1%
Angels 0.2%
AL Wild Card
Orioles 70.9%
A's 70.4%
Angels 19.4%
Yankees 19.2%
Rangers 10.7%
Rays 9.2%
NL East champion
Nationals 97.2%
Braves 2.8%
NL Wild Card
Braves 97.2%
Cardinals 75.8%
Brewers 17.5%
Dodgers 4.5%
Nationals 2.8%
Diamondbacks 2.0%
Phillies 0.2%
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