There are still some issues to be decided, but here's what we know about the American League playoffs:

Game days

One divisional series will begin Wednesday (Oct. 1), the other on Thursday (Oct. 2). The first round is best-of-five.

The team with the best regular-season record gets to choose the day it starts the playoffs, and the decision is likely to be based on things like pitching matchups and depth. Most likely, that team is the Angels, who will clinch the best record with one more win or a Rays loss.

After Game 1,  the days are the same for each series: Game 2 Friday (Oct. 3), Game 3 Sunday (Oct. 5), Game 4 Monday (Oct. 6), Game 5 Wednesday (Oct. 8). The game times are different, of course, and will be set by TV.

Rays vs. ?????

If the Rays win the American League East, they play the AL Central champion (Twins or White Sox). Games 1, 2 and (potentially) 5 would be played in Tropicana Field.

Keep in mind, if the Rays and Red Sox finish tied in the standings, the tiebreaker is head-to-head record and the Rays have the edge, having won the season series 10-8.

If the Rays finish the regular season in second place, they are the wild-card team. They would play the Angels and have to open on the road. Games 3 and (potentially) 4 would be at the Trop.

And then?

If the Rays advance, the next round of the playoffs, called the championship series, would start Oct. 10.