Nine teams have playoff berths

Today's the final day of the season, and here's what we know for sure: Only 10 teams will play October baseball. Nine of them already have punched their tickets to the postseason: the Orioles, Angels, Tigers, Royals, Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers, Pirates and Giants.

As of late last night, the final playoff spot -- the second American League wild card -- was up for grabs between the A's and Mariners.

The A's would have clinched a spot with a victory, but they were beaten by last-place Texas, 5-4, last night in Arlington. Home runs by rookie Jake Smolinski and Robinson Chirinos boosted the Rangers.

The A's magic number remained at one with the Mariners hosting the Angels late last night.

The National League playoff participants are set, but there's still playoff jockeying going on.

After a sizzling surge toward the top, the Pirates lost a chance to tie the Cardinals for the lead in the NL Central. Todd Frazier hit a tying two-run homer in the seventh inning and Ramon Santiago hit a grand slam in the 10th, powering the Cincinnati Reds to a 10-6 victory.

The Pirates will either host the Giants in the wild-card game, with the winner facing the Nationals, or open the division series at the Dodgers on Friday.

"Wonderfully crazy, like the season," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Jordy Mercer homered, and Neil Walker drove in three runs with a bases-loaded single and a triple as the Pirates pulled ahead 6-4 but couldn't hold on.

In Phoenix, Mark Trumbo homered twice and the Arizona Diamondbacks prevented St. Louis from clinching the NL Central title.

The Cardinals secured at least a tie for the division crown when Pittsburgh lost, but they need to win or have the Pirates lose today to finish alone in first place.

If the Cardinals and Pirates tie, they would meet in a one-game playoff.

Twenty-game winner Adam Wainwright will take the mound today in the regular-season finale for the Cardinals.-- AP