MLB 2011 Historic Playoff Race Scenarios & Possible Match-Ups

For the first time in the history of the MLB Wild Card Playoff format, eight games will be needed, on the final day of regular season, to complete the Major League Baseball Playoff puzzle.

Right now we know the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies will open the 2011 MLB Playoffs, at home, on Friday and Saturday respectively.

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The rest of the playoff picture is about as clear as mud. Eight key games may, or may not, decide the rest of the when, where, and against who, playoff scenarios today.

National League 2011 MLB Playoff Picture

If the Phillies take a “day off” and the Braves win, while the Cardinals lose, the Phillies would likely welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Citizens Bank Field on Saturday.

Arizona needs a win and a Brewers loss to capture the second seed in the NL Divisional Playoff round, in which case they would host the Braves or the Brewers.

Should the Braves and Cardinals both win or both lose, a one game “playoff”would be held at Busch Stadium on Thursday to decide the NL Wild Card position.

American League 2011 MLB Playoff Picture

It’s not any clearer on the American League Playoff horizon as the Rays and Red Sox are in the exact same position as the Braves and Cards. If both teams win, or both teams lose, a “playoff” game would be take place at Tropicana Field, in St. Petersburg, on Thursday.

If the Tigers win, and the Rangers lose on Wednesday, the Tigers are the second seed in the American League and will host the Wild Card winner at Comerica Park to open the MLB Playoffs.

If both clubs win, or they both lose, the Tigers would head to the Bronx to face New York and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, would host either Boston or Tampa Bay on Friday.

>>> Stay tuned for our Predictions and Free Picks later today <<<