If the season ended today, then what you see above would be the playoff pairings. The season, however, does not end today, so let's have a look at Tuesday's games with playoff implications.
Playoff Picture page | Monday scoreboard | Three-day schedule
Tuesday brings us a full slate of games, and here are the five most important:
1. Dodgers at Nationals, 7:05 p.m. ET
Not only are the Nationals trying to fend off the hard-charging Braves in the NL East (the Braves have made up 3 1/2 games in the standings over the last five days), but they're also trying to cling to the top seed in the NL -- the Reds are only 1 1/2 games behind. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are only a single game behind the Cardinals for the second NL wild card. Jordan Zimmerman goes for D.C., and Josh Beckett takes the ball for the Dodgers.
2. Brewers vs. Pirates, 7:05 p.m. ET
Will one of these teams challenge the Cardinals and Dodgers for the second NL wild-card berth? This clarifying series in Pittsburgh kicks off with Pittsburgh's Kyle McPherson making his first major-league start. Each is team is 2 1/2 games behind St. Louis.
3. A's vs. Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET
The Tigers are trying to overcome the White Sox's three-game lead in the AL Central though the two teams aren't scheduled to meet again this season. The Tigers are also trying to get out of the discussion for "most disappointing team of 2012." The A's, meanwhile, are clinging to the top wild-card spot, but they also have designs on the AL West title. As pitching matchups go, this one's stellar: Brett Anderson vs. Justin Verlander.
4. Rangers vs. Angels, 10:05 p.m. ET
The Angels enter this series three games out of the second wild-card spot. The Rangers enter this series trying to put some distance between themselves and the A's. Derek Holland opposes C.J. Wilson, who will be making his fifth start of the season against his former team.
5. Orioles vs. Mariners, 10:10 p.m. ET
Depending on how the Blue Jays-Yankees game plays out (7:05 p.m. ET), the O's could take the field in Seattle tied for first in the AL East. The bad news for Baltimore is they'll be tasked with beating Felix Hernandez.
Playoff chances, via coolstandings.com:
AL East champion
Yankees 68.9%
Orioles 30.0%
Rays 1.1%
AL Central champion
White Sox 84.4%
Tigers 15.6%
AL West champion
Rangers 78.1%
A's 21.5%
Angels 0.4%
AL Wild Card
A's 72.4%
Orioles 50.1%
Yankees 24.6%
Rangers 21.2%
Angels 21.1%
Rays 7.0%
Tigers 2.7%
White Sox 1.0%
NL East champion
Nationals 95.5%
Braves 4.5%
NL Central champion
Reds 99.9%
NL West champion
Giants 99.7%
Dodgers 0.3%
NL Wild Card
Braves 95.5%
Cardinals 63.5%
Dodgers 14.9%
Brewers 8.6%
Pirates 8.5%
Nationals 4.5%
Diamondbacks 2.6%
Phillies 1.4%
Giants 0.2%
Padres 0.1%
Grim Reaper Watch (i.e., teams that could be mathematically eliminated today)
Blue Jays -- The Jays will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose or if Baltimore wins.
Mariners -- The M's are out if they lose and Baltimore wins.
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