AL playoff tiebreaker scenarios: Angels’ road just got tougher

As we head into Friday’s baseball games, there are three teams battling for the last AL wild-card spot, and two teams battling for the AL West title. The Angels, Houston and Minnesota all have a chance at the final wild-card spot, while Houston and Texas are still in contention for the AL West title. The Yankees clinched one wild-card spot Thursday, and Texas clinched at least a wild-card spot by beating the Angels on Thursday and will clinch the division title with another victory or a Houston loss.

Here are the playoff tiebreaker scenarios heading in to Friday’s games, specifically the ones that involve the Angels:

If the Astros and Angels tie for a wild-card spot

Where they’d play: Houston on Oct. 5.

Why they’d play there: The Astros won the season series, 10-9.

If the Angels and Twins tie

Where they’d play: Anaheim on Oct. 5.

Why they’d play there: The Angels won season series, 5-2.

If there’s a three-way tie (Astros, Twins, Angels)

Where: Probably Astros vs. Twins on Oct. 5, followed by the winner hosting the Angels the next day.

Why: Since the Angels finished with a better record against the other two teams (14-12) than Houston (13-12) or Minnesota (5-8), they get to pick one of two options. Either play two tiebreaker games at home, or play one on the road. You have to figure they would opt to only play one game. but if not, then they would host Minnesota on Oct. 5. If the Angels won that game, they would host Houston on Oct. 6. If Minnesota won, they would play at Minnesota on Oct. 6.