Coming into Saturday night, there are essentially four American League teams alive for three playoff spots — the AL Central title, as well as both Wild Cards.

Detroit (89-71) leads the Royals (88-72) by one game for the Central Division title headed into the final two contests. The Royals are a game up on Oakland (87-73) for the first Wild Card slot, and two games up on the Mariners (85-75). Seattle is one loss or a win by the A’s away from elimination.

Baltimore and the Los Angeles Angels have clinched their respective divisions. The Angels have already cinched up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.


OUTCOME NO. 1 Tigers win two, finish 91-71
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Royals host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 2
Tigers win one, finish 90-72
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Loser will host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 3
Tigers win two, finish 91-71
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Royals host A’s in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 4 
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Loser will host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 5 
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Royals win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Tigers host A’s in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 6
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win none, finish 88-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. A’s host the Royals in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 7
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win none, finish 87-75
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Athletics and Mariners play a one-game tiebreaker for the second Wild Card slot. Winner plays the loser of the Tigers-Royals playoff in the Wild Card game on Tuesday.