It's a full slate and then some (the Red Sox and Orioles play a doubleheader), with plenty of playoff implications (especially in the National League). So get up to speed on what's at stake with Wednesday's playoff picture, and then let's jump right in ... 

Wednesday's scores

Red Sox 19, Orioles 3, Game 1 (box score)
Nationals 9, Marlins 3 (in 7) (box score)
Blue Jays 3, Astros 1 (box score)
Royals 6, Reds 1 (box score) 
Brewers 2, Cardinals 1 (box score)
Orioles 10, Red Sox 3 Game 2 (box score) 
Mets 3, Braves 0 (box score)
Rays 8, Yankees 7 (box score) 
Cubs 7, Pirates 6 in 10 (box score)
Twins 11, Tigers 4 (box score)
Indians 10, White Sox 2 (box score)
Rockies 14, Phillies 0 (box score) 
Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 2 (box score)
Angels 3, Rangers 2 (box score) 
Athletics 9, Mariners 3 (box score)
Padres 3, Giants 2 (box score) 

NL playoff picture remains murky

Although the Brewers and Cubs clinched playoff berths on Wednesday, a lot of unsettled business remains in the NL playoff picture. Let's go team-by-team to explain what Wednesday's results meant for everyone.

The Cubs … defeated the Pirates (albeit in 10 innings) to maintain their half-game lead over the Brewers in the Central. They'll play one more against Pittsburgh before taking on the Cardinals to close out the year. The Cubs will, at minimum, play host to the Wild Card Game. 

The Brewers … swept the Cardinals, officially securing a playoff spot and eliminating St. Louis from contention in the division. Milwaukee remains a half-game back of the Cubs in the Central with three to play against the Tigers. The Brewers will, at minimum, play host to the Wild Card Game.

The Cardinals … were swept by the Brewers, giving them three consecutive losses. They're no longer in contention for the division crown, and will enter Thursday a game behind the Dodgers for the second wild card. St. Louis has Chicago upcoming, so that series is pivotal for both sides.

The Rockies … thrashed the Phillies, giving them a sixth win in a row. They're now a half-game up on the Dodgers in the West, and two losses better than the Cardinals. The Rockies have another game against the Phillies before they play the Nationals to end the regular season.

The Dodgers … fell to the Diamondbacks, putting them a half-game behind the Rockies in the West. Los Angeles is currently a loss better than the Cardinals in the hunt for the second wild card. They have three games, all against the Giants, remaining.

The Braves … lost to the Mets. They've already locked up the NL East, but they're three games behind the Cubs for home-field advantage through the championship series. Given that and the fact the Braves are also two losses worse than the Brewers, it seems unlikely Atlanta pulls it off.

There are four days remaining in the regular season. It's going to be wild.

Sale's velocity continues slide

In what could become a minor footnote, depending on what Chris Sale does in the postseason, he caused some eyebrows to raise on Wednesday by topping out around 90 mph, per Statcast.

Sale has now lost velocity in each of his starts since returning from the disabled list. He averaged 96 mph in his first game back, then 95 mph, then 93 mph. This, obviously, is the greatest single drop. Perhaps Sale was intentionally going at less than full tilt given the nonexistent stakes. But it's usually not an encouraging sign to see a pitcher throwing five miles per hour slower than their seasonal norm a week before postseason play begins -- especially not when that pitcher is the team's ace.

Overall, Sale allowed four hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked one on 92 pitches. Granted, he did this against the Orioles, the worst team in baseball. Whomever the Red Sox face in the ALDS -- be it the Yankees or Athletics -- figures to offer more of a challenge no matter how hard Sale is throwing. 

deGrom throws gem in season finale

Jacob deGrom made his final start of the season. He was, predictably, very good. Read all about it here.

Brewers clinch playoff berth

The Brewers beat the Cardinals, earning their fifth trip to the postseason in franchise history. Read more about that here.

Tanaka struggles

There has and will continue to be a lot of discussion about whom the Yankees should start in next week's Wild Card Game. On Wednesday, Masahiro Tanaka had a chance to establish himself as arguably the top candidate. He failed in that effort.

Rather, Tanaka stumbled against the Rays. He lasted just four innings, throwing 80 pitches and permitting three earned runs on six hits and a walk. One of those hits was a Tommy Pham homer.

Still, this marks the second consecutive outing that has seen Tanaka depart after four frames. He yielded five runs in four innings in his last start, that coming against the Red Sox. Prior to that game, he'd given up one run in his previous 21 innings combined.

In other words, Tanaka isn't making the Yankees' decision any easier.

Betts goes 30-30

In Wednesday's otherwise meaningless Orioles-Red Sox tilt (the Sox have clinched home field advantage throughout the postseason, and the Orioles have locked up the top overall draft pick in 2019), Boston outfielder and AL MVP candidate Mookie Betts stole his 30th base of the season. And that means this:

Betts has 32 home runs in 2018 to go with those 30 swipes, so, yes, he's now registered the 62nd 30-30 season in MLB history. Mere days ago, Indians third baseman (and fellow AL MVP contender) Jose Ramirez also joined the club. 

In addition to playing excellent defense in right and running the bases well, Betts entered Wednesday's doubleheader with an OPS+ of 186 in 133 games and 83 extra-base hits for the best team in baseball. So, yes, he's got legit designs on the AL MVP award. 

Betts wasn't the only to set a milestone during this ritual beating at Fenway. Have a look:

Devers is certainly capable of running into one on occasion, but Bogaerts has in particular been an underrated presence this season. In addition to being Boston's primary shortstop, the 25-year-old is now batting .288/.358/.517 with 22 home runs and 44 doubles. Obviously, that's outstanding production for any player, let alone a shortstop. Bogaerts probably isn't getting the credit he deserves this season. 

Swanson's status for postseason up in air

Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson suffered a partially torn ligament in his hand and will miss the remainder of the regular season. He will be re-evaluated next week prior to the start of the postseason. Read more about what the Braves could do if Swanson is unable to suit up here.

Rain interferes with Harper's possible final home game

A rainy summer continued in D.C. on Wednesday. Unfortunately, that ruined what could be Harper's final home game with the Nats. Read more about that here.

Quick hits

Live team updates