Breaking down final weekend’s playoff scenarios

The Yankees (91-68) begin the regular season’s final weekend as the American League’s top wild card, up two games on the Red Sox and Mariners, both 89-70, and three games on the Blue Jays (88-71). Beginning Friday night, the Yankees complete their schedule with three games against the Rays at home, the Red Sox play the Nationals in Washington, the Mariners host the Angels and the Blue Jays host the Orioles.

Here’s what the Yankees need to do to 1) clinch a postseason spot and 2) secure home-field advantage for the Oct. 5 wild-card game.

The easy way:

One win assures the Yankees of at least a spot in a Monday tiebreaker and eliminates the Blue Jays.

At least two wins gets them the top wild card, meaning they’d host the wild-card game. The hard way:

One win and a loss by either the Red Sox or Mariners assures the Yankees of hosting the wild-card game.

If the Yankees get swept by the Rays, they’d host the wild-card game only with the Mariners losing at least one, the Blue Jays losing at least once and the Red Sox losing at least two.

If they get swept, they’d secure the second wild card, serving as the road team on Tuesday, with a Mariners sweep, a Blue Jays sweep or the Red Sox winning two. Limbo:

The Yankees would need to play in a Monday tiebreaker if 1) they win one and the Red Sox and Mariners both sweep; or 2) they get swept, the Red Sox and Mariners each win two and the Blue Jays sweep. Go home:

The Yankees’ season would end Sunday if they get swept and the Red Sox and Mariners both sweep.