With one weekend separating the MLB from playoff baseball, there are a lot of storylines going into this weekend's slew of games that could shape the postseason, as well as set up opening round matchups. Multiple teams are scratching and clawing for the American League wildcard, the National League Central division hasn't been claimed yet, and teams that have already won their respective divisions look to finish strong and gain home-field advantage heading into the playoffs.
The team to watch this weekend is the Pittsburgh Pirates (91-68) as they are looking to topple the St. Louis Cardinals (94-65) as the division leaders while they are also trying to keep the Cincinnati Reds (90-69) at bay as they duke it out this weekend over the top spot in the NL wildcard chase.
The Cardinals, Pirates and Reds are all guaranteed playoff spots as a division will send three teams to the postseason for the first time ever, but the results of this weekend could alter who plays who come October.
The Pirates and Reds series should be a great one as the Reds are just one game behind Pittsburgh for the top wildcard spot, with the winner getting home field advantage in the one-game playoff set for Oct. 1.
The Cardinals hold a three-game lead over the Pirates heading into Friday night, but if the Cardinals are swept away by the Chicago Cubs (66-93), and the Pirates can sweep the Reds, there is potential that the teams can switch spots and it will be the Cardinals hosting the Reds in a one-game wild-card playoff game.
If St. Louis clinches and the Reds are able to overtake the Pirates, then it will be the Reds hosting the Pirates for the wildcard playoff, but if it stands as it is now, the Pirates will host the Reds. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle knows the possibilities are endless for his club as it tries to fight its way to its first division title since the 1992 season.
"We're still focused on the opportunity to win the division," Hurdle said Wednesday per MLB.com. "If it turns out that way [that the division is gone], we want to fight and take that [wildcard] Game back home."
A.J. Burnett (9-11, 3.39) takes the mound for the Pirates Friday as Homer Bailey (11-11, 3.40 ERA) toes the rubber for the hometown Reds. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, the Cardinals look to win their first NL Central crown since 2009 when they send Lance Lynn (14-10, 4.09) to the hill against Travis Wood (9-11 2.98).
The Cardinals are playing for much more than the division crown as it is also trying to lockup home-field advantage from the Atlanta Braves (94-65) by completing the season with a better record than them. The two enter the weekend with the same record.
"A fight's a fight," said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to MLB.com. "It feels like we're in a fight. We show up here every day excited and anxious. Can't wait to get out here and watch our guys do their thing and watch it play out. But it's very similar to last year. We just feel like we've got something to prove every night."
Atlanta continues its four-game set with game two Friday against the division rival Philadelphia Phillies (72-87) at home and sends Kris Medlen (14-12, 3.24) to do battle with Cliff Lee (14-7, 2.93).
The NL West champion Dodgers (91-68) look to close-out their season strong as the team takes on the Colorado Rockies (72-87) who are in the cellar of the division. NL Cy Young Award candidate Clayton Kershaw (15-9, league-leading 1.88 ERA) will square off against Collin McHugh (0-3, 8.59) in his final regular season appearance as he tunes-up for Game 1 of the National League Division Series next week.
Meanwhile, in the American League, all the divisions have been decided but the wildcard is very much up in the air. Three teams are vying for two spots. The Tampa Bay Rays (90-69) enter the weekend holding a one-game lead on the Cleveland Indians (89-70) for the top wildcard spot while the Texas Rangers (88-71) are just one game behind the Indians for the second spot and two behind the Rays for the top.
Tampa Bay takes on its division rival and bottom dwelling Toronto Blue Jays (72-87) in the first of a three-game set Friday night. Tampa sends out Jeremy Hellickson (12-9, 5.16) while Toronto counters with knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey (13-13, 4.27).
Following two consecutive sweeps of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees, the Rays are in control of their own fate this weekend, but Hellickson knows he needs to pitch better.
"I haven't been throwing like I'm capable of throwing," Hellickson said, according to MLB.com. "So I'm glad they're still running me out there. I haven't been able to make the big pitch when I've needed to, and it's cost me."
Meanwhile, the Indians find themselves continuing a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins (66-93) and know that as long as they win they are in and can try to sneak up on the Rays to grab home-field for the one-game playoff slated for Wednesday, Oct. 2. The Indians will go with Corey Kluber (10-5, 3.61) to start the series while the Twins have tapped Pedro Hernandez (3-2, 6.05) to try and help them play spoiler.
The Rangers have the daunting task of not knowing their own fate, and even if they win their next three games against the Los Angeles Angels (78-81) after winning Thursday night's series opener 6-5 on a walk-off homer from Jurickson Profar, the Rangers can still miss out on the playoffs if the Indians and Rays win out. Alexi Ogando will man the mound for the Rangers (7-4, 2.93) while the Angels counter with former Ranger C.J.Wilson (17-7, 3.36).
"We have to worry about winning games. It's all we have right now," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus told MLB.com. "We've lost quite a few already, so we have to take care of business and win. Everybody knows the situation."
Meanwhile the AL East champion Boston Red Sox (96-63), AL Central champion Detroit Tigers (93-66) and the AL West champion Oakland Athletics (94-65) all look to try and secure home-field advantage through the World Series by notching the best record in the AL, while also winning their final series' of the regular season.
Boston will visit their division rival Baltimore Orioles (83-76), Detroit hosts the last place Miami Marlins (59-100) and the Athletics visit their division rival Seattle Mariners (70-89) to close out the regular season in pursuit of home-field.
Many storylines are at play when the MLB's final three days of the regular-season kick off Friday night with a weekend of action that has plenty of playoff implications.
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