Tie-Breaker scenarios for the second American League Wild Card spot

There are, as of this writing, seven teams within 3.5 games of the American League’s second wild card spot. While it’s likely that one or two teams will separate themselves from the logjam, there is the possibility that more than two teams will be tied for the spot after all 162 games have been played. Not only that, what happens if the New York Yankees fall back to the pack, as their hold on the first Wild Card spot is a mere 2.5 games?

As it happens, we have the answers.

• THREE-WAY TIE. The easiest one to determine is actually one of the most complex. All three teams must meet at a Buffalo Wild Wings that is the closest to being equidistant between all three teams’ home stadium. Once there, it’s competitive pub trivia. Top two teams advance. No cell phones, no Lord of the Rings questions.
• FOUR-WAY TIE. As seen in the popular Anna Kendrick vehicles Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2, and the upcoming Pitch Perfect 3, a Riff-Off is when a cappella groups square off by singing medleys at each other.

The MLB Riff-Off will have roughly the same rules as the films do, with the competition being held in an abandoned Pittsburgh middle school and judged by MLB Network’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. It will be awful.

• FIVE-WAY TIE. The rule book says “Coin flip/dice? Shit, man, I don’t know, I just work here.” This could be a problem.
• SIX-WAY TIE. All six teams are flown to Waco, Texas. There, all six teams will help Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna Gaines improve homes (while remaining within their budget!) in the area, while enjoying the gentle humor and everyday aggravations of the Gaines family. The team that improves the property assessment of their Fixer Upper the most advances; however, assaulting Chip with repeated shiplap blows to the head and chest is an automatic DQ.
• SEVEN-WAY TIE. Push-ups. Here’s where the veteran savvy of Bartolo Colon might really hurt the Twins.
• THE YANKEES SLUMP AND EIGHT TEAMS TIE FOR BOTH PLAYOFF SPOTS. The rulebook just says “Pile of Coats” and the URL for this clip.