The National League wild-card playoff race looks like it could drive the schedule-makers wild. What happens if there is a two-team tie atop the standings? What if all three are tied?
Well, Rule 33 (C) (3) (A) and Rule 33 (C) (3) (B) spell it out. But here’s a somewhat simplified version involving the Cubs:
Two-way tie
The Cubs would play Monday either in San Francisco or Houston.
Three-way tie
The Giants would have first choice of 1) taking a bye on Monday and playing the winner of Monday’s Cubs-Astros game on the road Tuesday, or 2) playing two tiebreaking games at home.
The only way the Cubs could play at Wrigley Field is if the Giants select to take a bye Monday while the Cubs win at Houston. The Tuesday tiebreaker would be played in Chicago.
There is, of course, the unlikely scenario of the Dodgers getting involved in this mess, including a four-way tie with the Dodgers, Giants, Cubs and Astros. But that would take a major dive by L.A., and some major machinations by Major League Baseball.
