Baseball Playoff Scenarios at a Glance

All sorts of playoff scenarios were possible going into this weekend. A look at what happens if there are ties in the AL and NL after Sunday's games.

Worth noting: Head-to-head records are only used when two teams have already clinched playoff spots; they are not used to determine which teams are in and out of the playoffs.

American League

The AL East and wild-card spots were still open, with the New York Yankees (94-65), Boston (93-66) and Cleveland (93-66) each having a chance to reach the postseason.

• If the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians finish with identical records:

  For the first time in baseball history, there would be a double playoff. New York and Boston would play Monday at Yankee Stadium to decide the AL East winner. The loser would play the Indians on Tuesday for the wild card it would either be New York at Cleveland or the Indians at Boston.

• If the Yankees and Red Sox finish tied, with better records than the Indians:

  Both New York and Boston make the playoffs, the Indians are out. Because both the Yankees and Red Sox would be assured spots, then the head-to-head record comes into play; in this case, the Yankees would have a better record vs. Boston and be the AL East champion and the Red Sox would win the wild card.

• If the Yankees and Red Sox finish tied, with a worse record than the Indians:

  Boston and New York hold a one-game playoff at Yankee Stadium on Monday to decide the AL East winner, Cleveland win the wild card.

• If the Yankees win the AL East and Boston and Cleveland finish tied:

  The Indians play at Fenway Park on Monday in a one-game playoff for the wild card.

• If the Red Sox win the AL East and the Yankees and Cleveland finish tied:

  The Yankees play at Jacobs Field on Monday in a one-game playoff for the wild card.

• If the Chicago White Sox (96-63) and Cleveland wind up with the same record:

  Chicago wins the AL Central based on a better head-to-head mark vs. the Indians. Cleveland wins the wild card.

With Atlanta, St. Louis and San Diego having clinched division titles, the only race going Friday was for the wild-card spot. If Houston (87-72) and Philadelphia (85-74) wind up tied, the Phillies will host the Astros in a one-game playoff Monday.