Since the last time we looked at the Massive Tie Scenario in the AL, the White Sox and Tigers played poorly, somewhat taking them out of contention. They are more likely to wind up in a tie with each other than tied with the other five teams in contention for the AL East title and/or the AL Wild Card slots.
Two and one half games separate the Athletics, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, and Angles. Oakland has a game in hand, with 23 contests remaining, the rest all have 22 games to go. The following results in a five-way tie at 96-66, the highest possible win total that even things out.
- Angels 19-3
- Rays 19-3
- Orioles 18-4
- Yankees 17-5
- Athletics 17-6
This works out if the Rays split their six games with Baltimore and the three left with the Yankees. The Orioles and the Yankees could then take two of three from Oakland, and the Angels could split their series with the A’s.
If this high winning percentage happened (which is unlikely), the Rays, Orioles, and Yankees would play a two-day playoff for the AL East. The Angels and Athletics would be tied for the AL West title, since they would likely have taken most of the 13 games the two teams have left with Texas. That would force a one game playoff for the AL West title, then when the divisions were settled, a two-day playoff to determine which wild card team will go to the ALDS.
The White Sox and Detroit have games against these teams, so they could pull themselves back into the tie scenario. Because the Rangers, A’s, and Halos play quite a bit down the stretch, the Rangers could be pulled in as well. The five way tie, however, works over a wide range of win values, and it’s disruptive of the playoff schedule.
On Monday, the only teams playing are the Athletics who visit the Angels. We’ll look for an Angels win in that one.