The Orioles are in the playoffs, but the postseason picture is far from clear with just three days left during the regular season. PressBox will keep you updated on the American League scenarios during the next few days. The Orioles (92-67) are guaranteed at least a wild-card spot, but they could also win the American League East.

The Birds are tied with the Yankees for the division lead and are one game behind the Rangers (93-66) for the best record in the AL. If the Orioles and Rangers tie for the best record in the AL, Texas would be the No. 1 seed, having won more head-to-head matchups with the Orioles this season.

The Orioles are in Tampa, Fla., for a three-game series against the Rays, starting tonight. Tampa Bay (88-71) is four games behind the Orioles and Yankees, and the only way for it to make the wild-card tiebreaker is for the Athletics (91-68) to lose all three of their games with Texas and to sweep the Orioles.

The Tigers (86-73) can lock up the AL Central tonight with a win against the Royals in Kansas City. A Detroit win would eliminate the White Sox (83-76) from division contention.

If necessary, a tie-breaker would be held for divisions and wild cards Oct. 4. The Orioles are selling tickets for a potential tie-breaker game tomorrow. The wild-card game would be held Oct. 5 between the two playoff teams that didn't win their division.

The first scheduled AL Division Series Game is scheduled for Oct. 6 (No. 3 seed at No. 2 seed), with the second one taking place Oct. 7 (No. 4 seed at No. 1 seed).

Today's Games

Baltimore at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.: Wei-Yin Chen (12-10 with a 4.11 ERA) vs. Alex Cobb (10-9, 4.18 ERA)

Boston at New York, 7:05 p.m.: Clay Buchholz (11-7, 4.22 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia (14-6, 3.42 ERA)

Texas at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.: Martin Perez (1-3, 5.03 ERA) vs. Jarrod Parker (12-8, 3.44 ERA)

Detroit at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.: Rick Porcello (9-12, 4.68 ERA) vs. Bruce Chen (11-13, 5.13 ERA)

Chicago at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.: Hector Santiago (3-1, 3.69 ERA) vs. Corey Kluber (2-4, 5.02 ERA)

Los Angeles at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.: C.J. Wilson (12-10, 3.86 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (13-8, 2.86 ERA)

Posted Oct. 1, 2012