The MLB Postseason: A Thrilling Race to October
As the MLB postseason approaches, excitement fills the air. With just three games left in the regular season, every team with aspirations of hoisting the World Series trophy has much to play for. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce as teams jockey for position in the playoff 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?
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially clinched the NL West title, securing 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). However, the Dodgers are still in a heated battle with the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s top seed, which would grant them home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have also clinched their division, the NL East, and hold a top-two seed in the NL bracket. Like the Dodgers, they have a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS. The competition for the top seed in the NL is intense, with the Phillies and Dodgers both vying for that coveted position.
New York Yankees
In the American League, the New York Yankees have clinched the AL East title and secured a top-two seed in the AL bracket. This guarantees them a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS. The Yankees are still competing with the Cleveland Guardians for the AL’s top seed, adding another layer of intrigue to the postseason race.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have clinched the AL Central title and a top-two seed in the AL bracket, mirroring the Yankees’ situation. They will also enjoy a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS, making them a formidable contender as the postseason looms.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers were the first team to clinch their division, winning the NL Central back 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, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have clinched the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket. They will host a wild-card series against the AL’s No. 6 seed, positioning themselves well for a deep playoff run.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles have secured a wild-card spot in the AL bracket and are in line to be the top wild card, which would allow them to host a series. However, they have not yet locked in the No. 4 seed, leaving room for movement in the standings.
San Diego Padres
Similarly, the San Diego Padres have clinched a wild-card position in the NL bracket. They are also in contention to be the top wild card and host a series, but like the Orioles, they have not yet secured the No. 4 seed.
Who Can Clinch Next?
The postseason picture is still evolving, with several teams on the brink of clinching their spots. The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers have postseason aspirations, boasting odds above 90% according to FanGraphs. Meanwhile, the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are above 50% but still have work to do to secure their places in October.
The Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves remain in the hunt for wild-card berths, but they will need some help to make it to the postseason. Six of the eight teams that have clinched their postseason berths are still competing for seeding in the playoff bracket, adding an extra layer of excitement to the final days of the regular season.
What’s Still Up for Grabs?
Even after clinching a postseason berth, teams have plenty to fight for. The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in each league will 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 goes to the third division winner, who will host a three-game wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
The top wild-card team will earn the No. 4 seed and host the No. 5 seed in the wild-card round. Additionally, higher seeds will enjoy home-field advantage in the championship series, making every game and every win critical as teams aim for the ultimate prize.
What Would the Playoff Bracket Look Like If the Season Ended Today?
As of now, the playoff bracket would shape up as follows:
American League
- Wild Card: No. 6 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 3 Houston Astros*
- ALDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 2 Cleveland Guardians*
- Wild Card: No. 5 Kansas City Royals vs. No. 4 Baltimore Orioles*
- ALDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 1 New York Yankees*
National League
- Wild Card: No. 6 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers*
- NLDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies*
- Wild Card: No. 5 New York Mets vs. No. 4 San Diego Padres*
- NLDS: Wild-card winner vs. No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers*
(*clinched playoff spot)
What Are the Tiebreakers?
In the event of a tie, MLB has eliminated the need for a Game 163. Instead, tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head records first, followed by intradivision records if necessary. Here’s a quick look at some of the tiebreakers that could come into play:
- The Yankees have clinched the tiebreaker against the Guardians.
- The Phillies have clinched tiebreakers against the Dodgers and Brewers.
- The Twins have clinched tiebreakers against the Tigers and Royals.
- The Royals have clinched the tiebreaker against the Tigers.
- The Mets have clinched tiebreakers against the Padres and Diamondbacks.
- The Braves have clinched the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
What’s the Schedule for the Wild-Card and Division Series?
As we gear up for the postseason, 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)
With the postseason just around the corner, the excitement is palpable. Teams are fighting tooth and nail for every win, and fans are eagerly anticipating the drama that October baseball always brings. The hunt for the 2024 postseason is on, and it promises to be a thrilling ride.