MLB

AL wild-card cheat sheet: Sept. 12

It’s coming down to the wire, and six teams remain very much alive in the chase for the two spots in the one-game American League wild-card playoff. Check here every morning for the standings, schedule and scoop on the jam-packed AL wild-card race:

1. Rangers (81-64)

Where they stand: 2.5 games up for first wild-card spot and right to host one-game playoff

Last night: Lost to Pirates, 7-5, after failed late-inning rally

Today: Off

Games remaining: 17 (vs. OAK — 3; at TB — 4; at KC — 3; vs. HOU — 3; vs. LAA — 4)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 82.6

Skinny: The Rangers are in a good spot with a 3.5-game cushion for a playoff berth. They trail the A’s for the AL West crown by three games going into a big weekend series.

2. Rays (78-66)

Where they stand: 1 game up on Yankees for second wild-card berth

Last night: Lost to Red Sox, 7-3, in 10 innings, on a grand slam by Mike Carp

Today: vs. Red Sox, 7:10 p.m, Hellickson (11-8) vs. Peavy (11-5)

Games remaining: 18 (vs. BOS — 1; at MIN — 3; vs. TEX — 4; vs. BAL — 4; at Yankees — 3; at TOR — 3)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 41.3

Skinny: At the close of business on Aug. 24, the Rays were tied for the AL East lead and had an 87.3 percent chance to reach the postseason. A 4-13 skid has left Joe Maddon’s club 9.5 out in the division and sliced their playoff chances by more than half.

3. Yankees (78-68)

Where they stand: 1 game back of Rays for second spot, half-game up on O’s and Indians

Last night: Beat Orioles, 5-4, thanks to solo homers by Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano

Today: at Orioles, 7:05 p.m, Wei-Yin Chen (7-7) vs. Phil Hughes (4-11)

Games remaining: 16 (at BAL — 1; at BOS — 3; at TOR — 3; vs. SF — 3; vs. TB — 3; at HOU — 3)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 20.4

Skinny: Seemingly buried on a weekly basis, including after three straight high-scoring home losses to the Red Sox, the Yankees have rallied to win three of four and stoke hopes of an improbable run to October. The maddening Hughes gets the ball for the latest must-win.

4. Orioles (77-68)

Where they stand: 1.5 games out for the second wild card

Last night: Lost to Yankees, 5-4

Today: vs. Yankees, 7:05 p.m, Wei-Yin Chen (7-7) vs. Phil Hughes (4-11)

Games remaining: 17 (vs. Yankees — 1; at TOR — 3; at BOS — 3; at TB — 4; vs. TOR — 3; vs. BOS — 3)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 11.6

Skinny: After making magic in close games during their charge to the 2012 playoffs, Buck Showalter’s Orioles are an MLB-worst 16-26 in one-run affairs this year. And with the Blue Jays playing better, there’s little relief in the remaining slate.

5. Indians (77-68)

Where they stand: 1.5 games out for the second wild card

Last night: Lost to Royals, 6-2, as Scott Kazmir lasted just four-plus innings

Today: at White Sox, 8:10 p.m, Danks (4-12) vs. Kluber (8-5)

Games remaining: 17 (at CWS — 4; at KC — 3; vs. HOU — 4; vs. CWS — 2; at MIN — 4)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 28.9

Skinny: The reason the Indians’ projected chances are better than the Yankees’, though they trail in the standings? Just look at those upcoming games. The Astros, White Sox and Twins each own bottom-six records.

6. Royals (77-69)

Where they stand: 2 games out for the second wild card

Last night: Beat Indians, 6-2, with James Shields going eight innings for the win

Today: Off

Games remaining: 16 (at DET — 3; vs. CLE — 3; vs. TEX — 3; at SEA — 3; at CWS — 4)

Percentage chance to make playoffs: 15.8

Skinny: The young Royals are 8-3 in September, keeping them on the fringes of the wild-card conversation. A three-game weekend set in Detroit may make or break them.

Playoff chances according to Coolstandings.com, based on millions of simulations of the remaining schedule.