MLB Playoffs 2016 Scores, Schedule and Standings: Latest Update as Teams Vie for Remaining Wild Card Slots
With all the six division titles already in the bag, the only score that remains to be settled is those from the wild card contest.
Coming into the Saturday matches, four teams were still in the hunt for the two wild card berths in the American League division, while three teams are trying out their luck in hopes of landing on one of the two National League wild card slots.
But, the results of the Saturday games are in - and the standings were shaken up a bit. Here are the scores of the different matches that significantly affected the rankings.
Saturday Game Winners and Losers
The Mets, who are desperately in need of a win as that would mean automatically clinching a slot, were able to do their part as they defeated Phillies, 5-3. The Cardinals handed Pirates a 4-3 loss, while the Giants kept their playoff bid alive with a win against the Dodgers, 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Yankees took care of the Orioles with an impressive 7-3 win. The Braves had it 5-3 over the Tigers, while the Blue Jays got the better of Red Sox, 4-3. The A's held back Mariners in a thrilling 9-8 victory.
Wild Card Hunt at the National League
Going into the last two days of the eliminations, it was a three-way race among the Giants, the Mets, and the Cardinals. But, the victory of the Mets over Phillies make it a scramble for the last spot between the Giants and the Cardinals.
The St. Louis squad's fate is not entirely in their hands anymore. They still need to win their next game, but whatever the results are, if the San Francisco team wins, the Giants are into the next round to face New York on Wednesday.
That means, the Giants only need to win the next game and they move on. A loss, however, and a win by the Cardinals will result to a playoff between the two teams on Monday. In the scenario where both teams end up losing their respective games, the Giants will earn the right to face the Mets.
The American League Wild Card Playoffs
Over at the AL, the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers remain as contenders for the two slots that are still up for grabs.
The Tigers have almost the same fate as the Cardinals. They would have to win their next game and pray for a loss by Blue Jays or Orioles. This could give them the chance to move on if they can get past Indians in a make-up game.
Both the Blue Jays and the Orioles only need to win and they both enter the last wild-card game to be hosted by Toronto.