The Orioles (87-65) have nine days left -- and 10 games to play -- during the 2012 regular season, and enter today’s doubleheader with the Blue Jays one game behind the Yankees (88-64) in the American League East.

The Birds close out the season Oct. 1-3 with a series in Tampa Bay against the Rays (83-70). The Orioles, at 87-65, are in control of the first of two wild-card spots in the AL. Oakland (86-66) currently has the second wild card and is one game behind the Orioles.

Given the addition of a second wild-card team this year, there is some confusion about the structure of the playoffs. Follow along and we'll try to clear up some confusion.

Should there be a tie for the wild card or division, a game will be played Oct. 4 on TBS.

If the Orioles are not able to overtake the Yankees in the American League East, but still claim a wild card spot, the club will play Oct. 5 against the other wild-card team on TBS. Unfortunately for teams scrapping it out for the wild card, it’s a lose-and-you’re-out scenario.

The first games of the AL Division Series will be played Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 and will last a maximum of five games. The Oct. 6 game will feature the second and third seeds against one another, with the third seed hosting that and the second contest. The fourth seed -- the wild-card game-winner -- will host the top seed Oct. 7 and the next game.

Most games in the two series will be on TBS, while some might be on the MLB Network. If either series needs to go to five games, the top seed will host the final three games.

The American League Championship Series will begin Oct. 13 on TBS and is a best-of-seven-game series, with the higher seed hosting the first two games.

The World Series is slated to begin Oct. 24 on FOX and is also a best-of-seven series. Since the National League won the All-Star Game, the NL has the home-field advantage in the series and hosts the first two contests.

Posted Sept. 24, 2012