The MLB Postseason: A Thrilling Race to October Glory
As the regular season winds down, the excitement surrounding the MLB postseason is palpable. With just a few days left, teams are not only fighting for playoff spots but also jockeying for position in the postseason bracket. Let’s dive into the current state of the MLB standings and what the playoff picture looks like as we approach October.
Who Has Clinched a Spot in the Playoffs?
The Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have secured the NL West title, earning them a top-two seed in the National League bracket. This means they will enjoy a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NL Division Series (NLDS). Currently, they are in a fierce competition with the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s top seed, which would grant them home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have also clinched their division, the NL East, and hold a top-two seed in the NL. Like the Dodgers, they will bypass the wild-card round and host a NLDS series. The battle for the top seed in the National League adds an extra layer of intensity to their final games.
The New York Yankees
In the American League, the Yankees have clinched the AL East title, securing a top-two seed and a bye through the wild-card round. They are currently in a tight race with the Cleveland Guardians for the AL’s top seed, which would provide significant advantages in the postseason.
The Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have clinched the AL Central title, earning them a top-two seed in the AL bracket. They will also enjoy a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS. Their competition with the Yankees for the top seed is heating up as the season draws to a close.
The Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers were the first team to clinch their division, winning the NL Central on September 18. They have secured the No. 3 seed in the NL and will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
The Houston Astros
The Astros have clinched the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket, setting them up to host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
The Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have clinched the top wild card in the AL, making them the No. 4 seed and setting up a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed.
The San Diego Padres
In the National League, the Padres have clinched the top wild card, earning the No. 4 seed and the right to host a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed.
The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals
Both the Tigers and Royals have clinched wild-card spots in the AL. While they have not yet secured their specific seeds, they will land either at No. 5 or No. 6.
Who Still Needs to Clinch?
The race for the final playoff spots is heating up, particularly in the National League. The New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Arizona Diamondbacks are all vying for the last two spots. According to FanGraphs, the Braves have a strong likelihood of securing one of those spots, with playoff odds above 80%. The Diamondbacks and Mets are in a tighter race, with playoff odds hovering between 50% and 60%.
What’s Still Up for Grabs?
Even for teams that have clinched their postseason berths, there’s still plenty to play for. The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in each league go to the division winners with the best records, granting them a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the division series. The No. 3 seed, awarded to the third division winner, will host a three-game wild-card series against the No. 6 seed. The top wild-card team earns the No. 4 seed and will host the No. 5 seed in the wild-card round.
What Would the Playoff Bracket Look Like If the Season Ended Today?
While the final days of the MLB season could change the landscape, here’s how the playoff bracket would look if the season ended today:
American League
- Wild Card: No. 6 Kansas City Royals vs. No. 3 Houston Astros
- ALDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 2 Cleveland Guardians
- Wild Card: No. 5 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 4 Baltimore Orioles
- ALDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 1 New York Yankees
National League
- Wild Card: No. 6 New York Mets vs. No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers
- NLDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies
- Wild Card: No. 5 Atlanta Braves vs. No. 4 San Diego Padres
- NLDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers
(*Clinched playoff spot, **Clinched postseason seed)
What Are the Tiebreakers?
In the event of ties, MLB has moved away from the traditional Game 163. Tiebreakers are now determined first by head-to-head records and, if necessary, by intradivision records. Here’s a quick look at the current tiebreakers:
- The Yankees have clinched the tiebreaker against the Guardians.
- The Phillies have clinched the tiebreakers against the Dodgers.
- The Royals have clinched the tiebreaker against the Tigers.
- The Mets have clinched the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
- The Braves have clinched the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks and hold the tiebreaker against the Mets, with two games left to play.
What’s the Schedule for the Wild-Card and Division Series?
As the postseason approaches, fans are eager to mark their calendars. Here’s the schedule for the wild-card and division series:
Wild-Card Series
- Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2
- Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3*
Division Series
ALDS
- Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 7
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 9
- Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 10*
- Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 12*
NLDS
- Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 6
- Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 9*
- Game 5: Friday, Oct. 11*
(*If necessary)
As the final days of the regular season unfold, the excitement of the MLB postseason looms large. With teams battling for playoff positioning and the thrill of October baseball on the horizon, fans are in for a spectacular finish to the season.