This could be the night the teams in the American League postseason picture are determined. If the Orioles beat the Twins, the Twins will be eliminated, the Orioles will be confirmed as the #1 wild card team, and it will be left up to the Tigers and Royals to determine who will play the Orioles.

Both the Tigers and Royals can clinch their own postseason spots with a win, regardless of what happens to the Twins, or, if the Tigers lose, to the O’s, regardless of what happens in their own game. It’s a busy night! The Tigers start at 6:40 against the White Sox – so already started by the time this post is posted – while the Royals start their game against the Braves at 7:20.

I’d feel better if the Orioles had their WC1 sewn up by now, but the magic number of 1 with three to play is pretty safe, even considering the Tigers are playing the White Sox. The Twins were reeling even more than the Orioles in September and that’s why they’re on the verge of elimination. They are averaging less than four runs per game on the month and are 9-15 overall. That’s rough. That doesn’t mean they won’t beat the O’s tonight.

Orioles lineup

1. Gunnar Henderson SS
2. Jordan Westburg – 2B
3. Anthony Santander RF
4. Colton Cowser-LF
5. Adley Rutschman-C
6. Ryan O’Hearn-DH
7. Ryan Mountcastle-1B
8. Carlo Mullins – CF
9. Ramón Urías – 3B

Cade Povich is on the mound for the Orioles as they try to take home court in the wild card round. The Twins are generally a slightly better hitting team against lefties, but slightly worse against left-handed starters. It would be nice if he could end his regular season with a good start.

Twins lineup

1. Manuel Margot-RF
2. Carlos Correa-SS
3. Byron Buxton CF
4. Carlos Santana – 1B
5. Royce Lewis-3B
6. Kyle Boer – 2B
7. Ryan Jeffers-DH
8. Christian Vázquez – C
9. Willi Castro-LF

The starting pitcher for the Twins is Pablo López, who is performing almost perfectly in the league this year. The reloaded Orioles lineup can hopefully get back to some good results against López after battling Gerrit Cole last night.