Orioles And Yankees Clinch Playoff Spots In MLB

The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are tied for first place in the American League East but both teams clinched playoff spots with wins on Sunday.

Baltimore topped Boston 6-3 to clinch its first playoff spot since 1997 while the Yankees down Toronto 9-6 to keep pace.   New York hosts Boston tonight while the Orioles travel to face Tampa Bay.   Texas also clinches a playoff spot after splitting a doubleheader with Los Angeles.

Tampa Bay beat Chicago 6-2 and Detroit nips Minnesota 2-1 to give the Tigers a two game lead in the AL Central.   Chicago starts a series in Cleveland tonight while Detroit travels to face Kansas City.   Oakland beats Seattle 5-2 and trails the Yanks and Baltimore by a game for the second wild card.   Tampa Bay is three games back.

In the National League, St.Louis beat Washington 10-4 thanks in part to two Carlos Beltran homers as the Cardinals lead the LA Dodgers by two games for the final wild card spot.   The Cardinals open a home series with Cincinnati tonight while LA hosts San Francisco.

Atlanta tops New York 6-2 as they trail NL East leading Washington by three games; the Braves are at Pittsburgh tonight while the Nats host Philadelphia.