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While there is still one more weekend of games to play in the MLB regular season, the American League playoff picture doesn't have much left to determine.
This year was one of the weakest years in American League history, as just two teams won 90 games and only five teams have clinched a winning record before the final weekend of the season. Still, that lack of production hasn't necessarily translated to a more competitive playoff race.
Additionally, a nor'easter forecast is providing issues for this weekend's scheduling, as a few series were forced to move their games in order to avoid the storm. That shouldn't impact the biggest races of the AL playoff picture, though.
Here's a look at the updated American League wild-card picture.
MORE: Updated MLB playoff bracket
AL wild-card standings
The American League wild-card playoff picture is pretty clear entering the final weekend of the regular season.
- WC1: Yankees, 92-67
- WC2: Red Sox, 86-74
- WC3: White Sox, 82-77
- Rangers, 79-80, E
- Orioles, 78-81, E
- Blue Jays, 77-82, E
- Twins, 75-84, E
- Tigers, 74-85, E
- Mariners, 74-85, E
- Royals, 68-91, E
- Athletics, 63-96, E
- Angels, 61-98, E
The New York Yankees were the first team to secure their wild-card seed in the league, as they clinched the first wild-card spot earlier in the week. The Boston Red Sox, meanwhile, clinched the second wild-card spot with a win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.
The final wild-card spot comes down to either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox, as one team will win the AL Central and the other will be the third wild-card team.
MORE: Updated NL wild-card playoff picture
AL Central standings
- Guardians, 83-67
- White Sox, 82-77, 1.0
The Guardians have a one-game lead over the White Sox with each team having three games left to play. Chicago won the season series, 7-6, though, and hold the tiebreak over Cleveland, which means that the White Sox would win the division if they and the Guardians finish the season with the same record.
AL West standings
- Astros: 79-80
- Rangers: 79-80
The only playoff spot left to decide in the American League is the AL West division winner. Both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers were eliminated from wild-card contention, but one of them will secure a spot in the playoffs as the AL West champion and earn the No. 3 seed in the AL playoffs. The Astros own the tiebreaker, and thus have a slight advantage over the Rangers.
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