The Tigers pitchers, with 13 combined K’s in the season finale, ending the season with 1,428, to establish the major league record for strikeouts by a team, surpassing a mark set by the 2003 Cubs. Detroit’s starting rotation features Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Anibal Sanchez, who all have each struck out 200+ batters this season.

The Indians defeat the Twins, 5 – 1, behind a strong combined pitching performance by Ubaldo Jimenez and Justin Masterson to clinch the first wild card spot in the American League. The Indians finished the season 15-2 to ensure this outcome and will host the 2013 American League Wild Card Game in two days. A one-game playoff will be needed to determine their opponent, however, as the Rays defeat the Blue Jays, 7 – 6, hanging on for a nail-biting win after scoring six runs and chasing starter Todd Redmond in the 1st; the Rangers then win their 7th straight, defeating the Angels, 6 – 2, to match the Rays’ 91-71 record, forcing an extra game to be held.

On the last day of the regular season, Henderson Alvarez of the Marlins tosses a no-hitter against the Tigers, 1 – 0. The game is scoreless going into the bottom of the 9th, as Justin Verlander matches zeros with Alvarez, but Giancarlo Stanton scores a run on a wild pitch by Luke Putkonen to make the no-no official. It is only the 6th time in major league history a no-hitter has ended in walk-off fashion, and the first time it has happened in regulation innings since 1952.

The Rangers and Rays both win on the last day of the season to force a one-game tiebreaker for the second AL wild-card spot. Texas, who won its last seven games, will host Tampa Bay in the 163rd game of the season, with the winner playing the Indians in a third consecutive do-or-die game.