The New York Yankees were unable to take that next step toward hosting the American League wild-card game after seeing their late rally fall short in an 8-7 setback to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Yankees (97-61) won't have long to dust themselves off as they return to Tropicana Field on Thursday afternoon when they conclude their four-game series against the Rays (88-70).

The red-hot Colorado Rockies aim to complete a four-game dismantling of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies when the series concludes on Thursday afternoon. The Rockies have outscored Philadelphia 34-4 while winning the first three games to move into first place in the National League West - one-half game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Prior to testing their mettle against baseball's best in the upcoming playoffs, the Houston Astros will conclude the regular season against the majors-worst Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday. The Astros (100-58) need three wins to break the club mark for victories in a season while the Orioles (46-112) set their franchise record in losses with Wednesday's 19-3 drubbing in the opener of a doubleheader versus Boston.

The combination of injuries and poor performance has resulted in a lost season for Dominic Smith, but as the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves for the final time in 2018 on Thursday, their first baseman looks to build off an encouraging finish. Smith has at least one hit in four of his past five games, going 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs Wednesday as New York gave Jacob deGrom a victory in his final start, a 3-0 triumph that evened the series at one game apiece.

For one day only, there will be no scoreboard-watching for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs take their one-half game lead over idle Milwaukee in the National League Central into the finale of their four-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The Minnesota Twins have had their way with the Detroit Tigers of late, winning seven of the last nine meetings between the American League Central rivals. Minnesota looks to complete the season series with another victory when it hosts Detroit on Thursday for the rubber match of their three-game set.

The Cleveland Indians are looking forward to next week's American League Division Series matchup with Houston and have little for which to play as they open a four-game series against the host Kansas City Royals on Thursday. However, the Royals need at least one win to assure they won't match the franchise record for most losses (106 in 2005).

The first leg of the Texas Rangers' season-ending seven-game road trip was anything but a success, but the team hopes to conclude 2018 on a high note, starting with the opener of its four-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Texas, which took two of three from the Mariners at home last weekend, lost a pair of one-run decisions as it began its trek by being swept by the Los Angeles Angels.