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Playoff Picture: Pirates pull within 1 game of Cardinals in NL Central

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Every night we take a look around the league and recap pennant and wild card races in baseball.

Here's a look at how Thursday's slate affected the playoff picture in the majors:

American League

  • The Orioles have previously clinched the AL East.
AL Central Record GB Games Left
Tigers 89-70 - 3
Royals 87-72 2 3
  • The Tigers and Royals were both victorious, so Detroit's magic number remains at two to clinch the division title.
  • The Angels previously clinched the AL West title. Los Angeles' magic number is one to clinch the best record in baseball and home advantage throughout the playoffs.
AL Wild Card Record GB Games Left
Royals 87-72 1 3
Athletics 86-73 - 3
Mariners 84-75 2 3
Indians 83-76 3 3
  • The Royals, Mariners and Indians all won, but the A's fall one game off the pace for the top wild-card spot after getting walked off by Adrian Beltre and the Rangers.

If the playoffs started today...

Wild Card: Athletics at Royals

Division Series: Wild Card at Angels, Tigers at Orioles

National League

  • The Nationals previously clinched the NL East. Washington's magic number is one to clinch home advantage throughout the playoffs.
NL Central Record GB Games Left
Cardinals 88-71 - 3
Pirates 87-72 1 3
  • The Pirates routed the Braves to pull within one game of the Cardinals for the division lead. Pittsburgh is surging, winning nine of its last 11 games heading into a three-game series in Cincinnati, while St. Louis heads to Arizona for three contests with the lowly Diamondbacks.
  • The Dodgers previously clinched the NL West.
NL Wild Card Record GB Games Left
Pirates 87-72 1.5 3
Giants 86-73 1 3
  • The Giants blew a 6-0 lead to the Padres but recovered to steal a victory. San Francisco remains in the hunt for home advantage in the play-in game with the win.

If the playoffs started today...

Wild Card: Giants at Pirates

Division Series: Wild Card at Nationals, Cardinals at Dodgers

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