MLB standings: Playoff picture entering Friday, Sept. 23

Days left in season: 10

Thursday’s big mover: Detroit. The Tigers got a must-sweep out of their doubleheader with the Twins and climbed over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL wild card race as the O’s lost their fourth straight to Boston.

Thursday’s big loser: New York Yankees. Brett Gardner said it best: After a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, New York now needs to win “11 of our last 10” for a shot at the playoffs. They need to win three –and probably all four – of a series at Toronto for any chance.

Oh, oh, it’s magic: The Rangers can clinch the AL West with a win tonight or an Astros loss. The Red Sox can pick up some champagne in Tampa – their magic number is five, and can clinch this weekend thanks to their sweep of the Orioles.

Today’s can’t-miss game: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET. The Cubs have iced the Central, but the Cardinals can’t risk falling 1 ½ back of the Mets and Giants. What’s more, this is the second-to-last start of the regular season for Jake Arrieta, and the Cubs would certainly like to see a return to Peak Arrieta form before the playoffs commence.

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AL East

Red Sox (89-64) – Magic number: 5

Blue Jays (83-69) – 5.5 GB

Orioles (82-71) – 7.0 GB

Yankees (79-73) – 9.5 GB

AL Central

Indians (89-63) – Magic number: 4

Tigers (82-70) – 7.0 GB

AL West

Rangers (90-63) – Magic number: 1

Astros (81-72) – 9.0 GB

Mariners (80-72) – 9.5 GB

NL East

Nationals (89-63) – Magic number: 2

Mets (81-72) – 8.5 GB

NL Central

Cubs (97-55) – Clinched division

NL West

Dodgers (87-66) – Magic number: 4

Giants (81-72) – 6.0 GB

AL Wild Card

Blue Jays (83-69) – +1 game 

Tigers (82-70) – 

Orioles (82-71) – 0.5 GB

Astros (81-72) – 1.5 GB

Mariners (80-72) – 2.0 GB

Yankees (79-73) – 3.0 GB

Royals (77-76) – 5.5 GB

NL Wild Card

Mets (81-72) --

Giants (81-72) --

Cardinals (80-72) -- 0.5 GB

Pirates (76-76) – 4.5 GB

Marlins (76-77) – 5.0 GB

GALLERY: MLB photo of the day