Last two days clarified the tie scenarios a great deal. With the Yankees losing two of three to Baltimore and Detroit taking the first two games of the series with Cleveland, the six-way tie in the American League looks dead. The three-way tie in the NL for the second wild card slot is still alive but not doing well. The four-way tie in the AL for the two wild card slots and the AL Central, however, is looking very good. Three teams are tied in the loss column, and the Mariners are just one loss off the pace. The can happen at 94 wins:

Tigers 12-2
Athletics 12-2
Royals 13-2
Mariners 14-1

This Seattle can beat the A’s today, and the Royals can take two of three from the Tigers, and there are still losses to spare. This tie would result in a one-game playoff for the AL Central, then a two-game playoff for the two-wild card slots.

In the NL, the three-way tie for the second wild card slot can happen at 88 wins:

Pirates 10-4
Brewers 11-2
Braves 13-1

Atlanta would take three of four from the Pirates, and Pittsburgh would take two of three from the Brewers. My gut tells me that one of the three teams will get hot and take control of the race. Given that both trailing teams play the Pirates, however, they have a chance to catch up.

For today, the best results to move the scenarios forward (note that this isn’t to get the highest number of wins, but to get the teams closer to a tie):

• Detroit loses to Cleveland
• Pittsburgh falls to the Chicago Cubs
• Kansas City loses to Boston
• Milwaukee defeats Cincinnati
• Atlanta beats Texas
• Seattle defeats Oakland

Note that things play out like this today, the four AL teams would be tied in the all freaking important loss column (AFILC).