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 days left in the season, 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 the playoff picture as it stands today.
Who Has Clinched a Spot in the Playoffs?
Several teams have already secured their places in the postseason, showcasing their dominance throughout the season:
-
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have clinched the NL West title and secured 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). They are currently in a fierce competition with the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s top seed.
-
Philadelphia Phillies: Like the Dodgers, the Phillies have clinched the NL East title and a top-two seed, ensuring they also have a bye in the wild-card round. Their battle for the top seed in the NL adds an extra layer of intrigue to the final days of the regular season.
-
New York Yankees: The Yankees have clinched the AL East title, securing a top-two seed in the American League bracket. This guarantees them a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS, while they compete with the Cleveland Guardians for the AL’s top seed.
-
Cleveland Guardians: Clinching the AL Central title, the Guardians have also secured a top-two seed in the AL bracket, meaning they will enjoy a bye and home-field advantage in the ALDS as they vie for the top seed against the Yankees.
-
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 bracket and will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
-
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.
-
Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have clinched the top wild card in the AL bracket, earning the No. 4 seed and the right to host a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed.
-
San Diego Padres: The Padres have secured the top wild card in the NL bracket, claiming the No. 4 seed and hosting a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed.
-
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have clinched a wild card in the AL bracket, although their exact seed remains undecided, with possibilities of landing at No. 5 or No. 6.
- Kansas City Royals: The Royals have also clinched a wild card in the AL bracket, with their seed yet to be determined, similarly landing at No. 5 or No. 6.
Who Still Needs to Clinch?
As the postseason approaches, three teams—the Mets, Braves, and Diamondbacks—are in contention for the final two spots in the National League. According to FanGraphs, the Braves have a strong likelihood of securing one of those spots with playoff odds exceeding 80%. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks and Mets are hovering between 50% and 60% odds, making for an exciting finish to the regular season.
What’s Still Up for Grabs?
Even for teams that have clinched their postseason berths, there remains a significant amount to play for. The top two 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. Additionally, higher seeds enjoy home-field advantage in the championship series, making every game count as teams aim for the best possible positioning.
What Would the Playoff Bracket Look Like If the Season Ended Today?
While much can change in the final days of the MLB season, here’s how the playoff bracket would shape up if the season concluded 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 a Game 163 scenario. Instead, tiebreakers are determined first by head-to-head records and, if necessary, by intradivision records. Here’s a look at the current tiebreakers that could come into play:
- 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.
- The Braves 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, here’s a look at 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 MLB postseason draws near, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Teams are not only fighting for a chance at the World Series but also for the glory and pride that comes with postseason success. The excitement is building, and fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling matchups that October will bring.