The Indians were officially eliminated with their loss to the Nationals, and the Rays clinched a Wild Card spot with a 6-2 win over Toronto. All of the playoff spots are now taken, although the last 2 games of the season will decide who hosts the Wild Card game in both divisions, and who wins the NL Central.
The Rays, who have the lowest payroll in baseball, clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013, surprising everyone with a young, talented roster. Oakland, another team with a low payroll, clinched the Wild Card game for the 2nd year in a row. The Twins are perhaps the biggest surprise of all, going from a below .500 year in 2018, to running away with the division this year.
In the American League, Houston is the no. 1 seed and will play the winner of the Wild Card game between Oakland and Tampa Bay. The Yankees (2 seed) have home-field advantage over the Twins (3 seed) and will square off in the ALDS.
Over in the NL, the Central is the only division not locked up as St. Louis leads Milwaukee by 1 game with 2 games left to play. The Dodgers are the no. 1 seed and will play the winner of the Wild Card game between Washington and St. Louis/ Milwaukee. The Braves have the 2 seed spot and will play the Central winner, pending the results of the last 2 games of the season.
