If you’re planning on bandwagoning Team Entropy this October, now is the time to get on board. Sunday’s slate will determine whether or not multiple tie-breakers will be scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, since any postponed games that have bearing on playoff seeding will need to be played before the wild card games kick off on Wednesday.
In the National League, the Giants and Cardinals could force a tie-breaker if the Giants lose to the Dodgers and the Cardinals beat the Pirates, effectively tying their regular season records. Left-hander Matt Moore will take the hill for the Giants against the Dodgers’ Kenta Maeda, in what will also be Vin Scully’s final hurrah in the broadcast booth. The Cardinals, meanwhile, will go with Adam Wainwright to close out the season against the Pirates’ veteran right-hander (and former Giant) Ryan Vogelsong.
Over in the American League, things are significantly more complicated, as both wild cards have yet to be claimed and the seeding among division winners isn’t fully set in stone. With Justin Verlander at the helm, the Tigers will play a must-win game against the Braves’ Julio Teheran if they want to remain in the wild card race come Monday. Even if Verlander turns out another Cy Young-worthy start, however, they’ll still need either the Blue Jays or Orioles to stumble in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.
You can find more from Sunday’s action below.