Keep up with the final day of baseball's regular season
— -- With five teams playing for the final three postseason spots and all of the action unfolding at the same time, we know you can't possibly watch every minute of baseball's Sunday sprint to the finish. There's no need to worry, though: We've got it all covered for you. Follow along as every thrilling moment of the regular season's final day unfolds.?
So about that chaos ...
Those hoping for a chaotic finish to the 2016 season might leave Sunday disappointed barring some big changes on the scoreboard. Not only are the Giants up big at home, but the Orioles are winning and the Tigers are losing in the American League. If Detroit can't rally in Atlanta, Baltimore and Toronto will lock up the two AL wild-card spots.
It's not looking good for the Cardinals
The Cardinals' chances of playing another game this season seem to be getting slimmer by the second as the Giants pour it on in San Francisco. If the Giants can make their big lead last, the stage should be set for a Madison Bumgarner vs.Noah Syndergaard showdown in the National League Wild Card Game.?
Buxton shows off his wheels
OK, the Twins and White Sox aren't exactly playing for a postseason spot on the season's final day -- but Byron Buxton's speed on his inside the park to lead off Sunday's game is just too impressive to ignore. A bright moment in a long season for Minnesota.?
Giants honor Vin Scully, jump in front of Dodgers
Shortly after fans of both teams applauded Vin Scully in a rare moment of Dodgers-Giants unity at AT&T Park, San Francisco struck for two first-inning runs off Los Angeles starter Kenta Maeda. Feeling nervous yet, Cardinals fans? Remember, it doesn't matter what St. Louis does Sunday if San Francisco takes care of business at home.?
Another day, another celebration for Big Papi
Before Sunday's game, the Red Sox honored David Ortiz with his biggest celebration yet and announced that Big Papi's No. 34 will be retired at Fenway Park next season. Just how large was this ceremony for Boston's retiring superstar? Both the Danilo Medina, the president of Ortiz's native Dominican Republic and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred made the trip to Fenway to participate in festivities that included Mary J. Blige singing the national anthem and an emotional speech from Ortiz himself.?
What's at stake Sunday
For the Giants, Blue Jays and Orioles, it's simple: A win Sunday means a quick celebration and a trip to the wild-card game. The Tigers and Cardinals need some help along the way. In addition to wild-card berths, the Indians and Red Sox are running neck and neck in the race to decide home-field advantage in their ALDS matchup.
The games that matter most
As David Schoenfield writes, it's going to feel like the postseason has already started in many stadiums across the majors. These are the games that will decide who keeps playing after Sunday.
American League
Blue Jays at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m. ET: The Blue Jays can clinch a wild-card spot with a win, and the Red Sox are still battling the Indians for ALDS home-field advantage in David Ortiz's final regular-season game.
Orioles at Yankees, 3:05 p.m. ET: After blowing a chance to clinch a wild-card berth Saturday, the Orioles hand the ball to Kevin Gausman with hopes of punching their postseason ticket on the season's final day.?
Tigers at Braves, 3:10 p.m. ET: The Tigers need a win Sunday AND some help in the AL wild-card race -- namely a loss by the Blue Jays or Orioles -- to extend their season season another day.?
Indians at Royals, 3:15 p.m. ET: The Indians know they will play the Red Sox in the ALDS on Thursday. Where that game takes place remains to be seen, though.?
National League
Dodgers at Giants, 3:05 p.m. ET: OK, so we already know the Giants will play at least one more game after Sunday. With a win, that next matchup would come Wednesday in a wild-card road game against the Mets. But if the Giants lose and the Cardinals win on Sunday, San Francisco will have to hit the road for a Monday tiebreaker in St. Louis.
Pirates at Cardinals, 3:15 p.m. ET: Just how important this game actually is comes down to how the Giants do Sunday afternoon, so Cardinals fans will have to juggle a heavy dose of scoreboard watching with a must-win game at Busch Stadium.
Related Stories
ABC News Live