Race to the Playoffs: 9/29

>>> The biggest winners were the AL wild card contenders. The Oakland Athletics' boom-or-bust offense was on full display against the Mariners when they were mostly shut down for eight innings, but Josh Donaldson hit the game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth and Brandon Moss hit the game-winning home run in the tenth. And with the New York Yankees' 3-2 loss in Toronto, the Baltimore Orioles have pulled into a tie for first place in the AL East with four games to play. Both teams can clinch playoff spots on Sunday but both have their sights set higher.

>>> The Tampa Bay Rays stayed in the thick of things by crushing the Chicago White Sox 10-4. They remain three back of the Athletics and four back of the Orioles and Yankees in the wild card. Sunday is crucial for the Rays. If they beat the White Sox, and the Orioles lose to the Red Sox, they'll be just three back of the O's entering their three-game series in Tampa. The Rays could then control their own destiny and sweep their way into playoff consideration. Unfortunately for them, the White Sox will be just as desperate. Since the Detroit Tigers topped the Twins 6-4, Chicago is once again two games off the AL Central pace. The best they can hope for is to win out while the Tigers go 2-2, which would force a one-game playoff.

>>> The fate of the NL East remains up in the air for at least one more day. The Atlanta Braves shut out the Mets 2-0 thanks to the red-hot pitching of Mike Minor. The Washington Nationals did lower their magic number to one by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 in extra innings. That loss by St. Louis keeps the door slightly ajar for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who at least stay alive for a little longer by beating the Rockies.

>>> Sunday should be extremely busy because on top of the usual madness, the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels will play a doubleheader to make up their Saturday rainout. The Yu Darvish vs. Zack Greinke duel should be particularly enticing. The Rangers clinch a playoff spot with one win and their magic number for the AL West is three. Both the Orioles and the Yankees can clinch playoff spots depending on what the Angels do. Four games to go.