#Mlb wild card standings series

Toronto would save its players’ energy on travel, have an extra rest day and be able to throw its best pitcher against the Red Sox’s or Yankees’ No. There’s certainly utility in rolling the dice on one game at home with Option C. Then, even if they win, they have to make a quick turnaround to Tampa. The worst-case scenario would mean the Blue Jays would have to fly from Toronto to Boston on Sunday night, Boston to New York on Monday night, then New York back to Boston on Tuesday night for the AL Wild Card Game. On one hand, playing two games and only having to win one makes Option B the better one on paper.īut the possibility of having to travel in back-to-back-to-back days - and play at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in one-game playoffs, no less - could give some Blue Jays officials pause. Toronto would be stuck with an incredibly difficult decision between Club B and Club C.

#Mlb wild card standings series

If we assume the Red Sox pick Club A, that leaves Toronto as the second team up because it won its season series with the Yankees. Having two shots instead of one - with one at home - is likely too much to pass up, though.

5 - after a tense loss and with no off days in between.Įven so, choosing Option A is probably the most sound decision on the aggregate.Ī win as Club A would mean a rest day on Tuesday and no travel days before hosting the AL Wild Card Game on Wednesday.īut, of course, a loss could trigger the aforementioned worst-case scenario. Taking Club C over Club A would also allow Boston to face Toronto or New York’s No. What Happens if Braves & Phillies Tie Atop NL East Standings? Read now Then, even if they get by all of that, they’d have to travel immediately to Tampa for the ALDS. to Boston on Sunday night, Boston to New York or Toronto on Monday night, then, if they win, flying out again on Tuesday night for the AL Wild Card Game. The worst-case scenario of picking Option A would mean traveling from Washington D.C. That’s a value judgment only Red Sox officials can fully flesh out.īoston’s travel load could be considerably lightened by choosing Option C. Still, is that enough of a reason to justify eliminating an extra chance to advance - just so Sale and the rest of the team get an extra day of rest? Likely not.īut it depends on how burnt out the club is feeling. Sale has thrown just two of his season’s seven starts on four days’ rest. And you’d obviously prefer two chances to advance instead of one.īut manager Alex Cora has been cautious with his ace and has mostly thrown him on five days’ rest since he returned from injury.

6.Ĭlub A seems like the most sound option for the Red Sox to take, right? Chris Sale is perfectly lined up to start on four days’ rest for a Monday game. The AL Wild Card Game would move back a day and take place on Wednesday, Oct. The winner of that game becomes the second wild-card team. The loser between Club A-Club B then travels to Club C for the second tiebreaker on Tuesday, Oct. The winner of this game would host the AL Wild Card Game.

Their choices are between Club A, Club B and Club C.Ĭlub A would host Club B in the first tiebreaker game on Monday, Oct. In this event, Boston would have the first choice because it beat Toronto 10-8 and New York 10-9 in their season series this season.