Angels soar with sweep; Cards clinch spot
The first of 10 postseason spots was claimed Saturday as the Cardinals clinched by virtue of a San Francisco loss, guaranteeing St. Louis at least a place in the National League's Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser.
The Cards clinching was far from the only postseason storyline circulating after Saturday's slate of games, however, as a very crowded American League Wild Card race seems to get tighter and tighter each day. Only one team has been officially eliminated from contention, while the Astros, Angels, Twins, Indians and Orioles all remain within 4 1/2 games of each other, vying for a spot opposite the Yankees in the Wild Card race.
Video: Cardinals clinch fifth straight postseason berth
Here's a deeper look into how Saturday's games helped shape the playoff picture:
Angels rise in AL Wild Card race
The Angels climbed the standings, beating the Twins twice in a split doubleheader. The wins vaulted L.A. past Minnesota and brought the club to within a game and a half of the Astros for the second AL Wild Card.
The Angels have now won three straight and seven of their last 10 games. They've dominated the Twins over the last two seasons, winning 12 of 13 matchups, including seven in a row at Target Field.
L.A.'s recent playoff push has coincided with Mike Trout's resurgence. The 24-year-old reigning AL MVP has homered three times and driven in seven runs through three games in this series, extending his career-high home run total to 39.
Albert Pujols also snapped an 0-for-25 slump with a big day at the plate. The Angels slugger was so relieved to end his 0-fer that he asked for the ball.
Elsewhere in the AL West, the two clubs still ahead of Los Angeles -- the Rangers and Astros -- both won. The Astros plated seven runs from the sixth inning on for a come-from-behind win over the A's, while the Rangers came away with a convincing 10-1 victory against Seattle.
Video: LAA@MIN: Richards on win, sweeping doubleheader
Cardinals clinch playoff spot
Despite dropping back-to-back games to Chicago, the Cardinals became the first team to clinch a playoff berth this year as the Giants lost, 6-0, to the D-backs. This is the fifth consecutive year St. Louis has reached the postseason, and the 12th time since 2000.
The Cards remain atop the NL Central standings, four games ahead of the Pirates, who won Saturday against the Dodgers. And Chicago isn't far behind, having won 12 of 16 to pull within one game of Pittsburgh for the NL's top Wild Card spot. Home-field advantage in the one-game playoff would be great for the Cubs as they've won 19 of their last 23 home games and are 45-28 at Wrigley Field this year.
"We want to win the division and we're showing emotion, and we're ready to fight for it," said Cubs rookie Kris Bryant, who homered Saturday. "We don't want to just settle for a Wild Card spot. We want it all."
Video: STL@CHC: Maddon on bullpen, playoff race
Yankees gain a game on Toronto
The Yankees capitalized on Toronto's loss to Boston on Saturday, shutting out the crosstown rival Mets, 5-0, in Game 2 of the Subway Series.
The Yankees moved to within 3 1/2 games of the Blue Jays in the AL East, and they remain in control of the AL's top Wild Card spot. The win also ensured the Yankees would finish with a .500 or better record for a 23rd consecutive season.
Video: NYY@NYM: Pineda tosses 5 1/3 scoreless frames in win
"I think we've been playing like this for a while," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've been close to Toronto, but they've got a little bit of a lead on us -- and we've been fighting and fighting. I think, in a sense, we've been playing playoff baseball for a while."
For the Mets, their magic number to clinch the NL East remained at eight over the Nationals, who won, 5-2, over the Marlins. As it stands, the two New York clubs are in line to reach the postseason in the same year for just the fourth time since the Mets entered the league in 1962.
Video: NYY@NYM: Syndergaard goes six innings, fans eight
Other things to know
• The Astros' comeback win over the A's was much needed, snapping a five-game losing skid. Houston is an AL-worst 5-12 this month as it has ceded the division lead to the Rangers.
• With Minnesota's loss, the Royals are the closest team to clinching a division title. Their magic number is down to four over Minnesota.
• The Orioles beat the Rays, 2-1, and are still lingering in the AL Wild Card hunt. They've won eight of their last 11 games and are 4 1/2 games back of the Astros.
If the postseason began today ...
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Wild Card: Astros at Yankees
Division Series: Wild Card at Royals, Rangers at Blue Jays
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Wild Card: Cubs at Pirates
Division Series: Wild Card at Cardinals, Mets at Dodgers
2015 POSTSEASON SCHEDULE
AL Wild Card Game: Oct. 6
NL Wild Card Game: Oct. 7
AL Division Series begins: Oct. 8
NL Division Series begins: Oct. 9
NL Championship Series begins: Oct. 16
AL Championship Series begins: Oct. 17
World Series begins: Oct. 27