The MLB postseason is correct across the nook. And with three video games left within the common season, each workforce with World Series aspirations nonetheless has lots to play for.
Let’s break down the state of the MLB standings and the playoff image as it seems to be at this time.
Who has clinched a spot within the playoffs?
On Thursday, the Dodgers clinched the NL West title and a top-two seed with a win over the Padres. They'll have a bye by way of the wild-card spherical and home-field benefit within the NLDS. The Dodgers clinched their twelfth straight postseason look with a 20-4 (sure, 20-4) victory over the Marlins on Sept. 19. In that one, Ohtani delivered a completely historic efficiency to seal the primary 50-50 season in MLB historical past.
The Yankees clinched the AL East, a top-two seed, a first-round bye and home-field benefit within the ALDS with their 10-1 victory over the Orioles on Thursday. They're competing with the Guardians for the AL's No. 1 seed.
On Wednesday, the Phillies clinched a top-two seed within the NL playoffs with their victory over the Cubs, mixed with the Brewers' defeat of the Pirates. The NL East champions can have a bye by way of the wild-card spherical and home-field benefit within the NLDS. They're competing with the Dodgers for the NL's No. 1 seed.
On Tuesday, the Orioles clinched an AL playoff berth with their victory over the Yankees, mixed with the Twins' loss to the Marlins. They haven't but secured their postseason seed.
Also Tuesday, the Astros clinched their postseason ticket and received their fourth consecutive AL West title with a victory over the Mariners. They would be the No. 3 seed within the AL bracket and will host a wild-card collection.
The Padres clinched their spot within the NL postseason bracket with a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday, one which ended with a triple play. They haven't but clinched their postseason seed.
On Sept. 19, the Guardians clinched their ticket to October with walk-off victory in opposition to the Twins. Cleveland secured the AL Central title on Saturday, and with Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Reds, they secured no worse than the No. 2 seed within the American League, which means they've a bye by way of the wild-card spherical and home-field benefit within the ALDS.
The Brewers clinched the NL Central title on Sept. 18. They haven't but clinched their playoff seed.
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Who can clinch subsequent?
The Royals, Tigers and Mets have the postseason in sight, with odds above 70%, according to FanGraphs. The Diamondbacks are above 50% however nonetheless have a methods to go to get to October.
Seven of the eight groups which have clinched their postseason berths are nonetheless competing for seeding within the playoff bracket. Only the Astros have secured their seed (No. 3 within the AL).
The Twins and Braves haven't been eradicated but and are nonetheless within the hunt for wild-card berths, although they've work to do and want fairly a bit of assist to get there.
What’s nonetheless up for grabs?
Once a workforce clinches its ticket to the postseason, there’s nonetheless lots to play for. Teams could possibly be battling for playoff positioning by way of the ultimate weekend of the season.
The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in every league will go to the division winners with the 2 finest information. Those groups earn a bye by way of the wild-card spherical and internet hosting rights within the division collection.
The No. 3 seed will go to the third division winner, and that workforce will host a three-game wild-card collection in opposition to the No. 6 seed (which can go to the third wild card). The high wild-card workforce will earn the No. 4 seed and internet hosting duties in opposition to the No. 5 seed within the wild-card spherical.
The increased seed additionally will get home-field benefit within the championship collection, as soon as we get that far.
What would the playoff bracket seem like if the season ended at this time?
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?
No longer do groups play a Game 163 in the event that they end the season tied. Instead, tiebreakers are decided by head-to-head information first and, if wanted, intradivision information second.
Here are the tiebreakers that might come into play:
The Yankees have clinched the tiebreaker in opposition to the Guardians.
The Phillies have clinched the tiebreakers in opposition to the Dodgers and Brewers.
The Twins have clinched the tiebreakers in opposition to the Tigers and Royals.
The Royals have clinched the tiebreaker in opposition to the Tigers.
The Mets have clinched the tiebreakers in opposition to the Padres and Diamondbacks.
The Braves have clinched the tiebreaker in opposition to the Diamondbacks.
The D-backs maintain the tiebreaker in opposition to the Padres, with three video games left to play.
The Braves maintain the tiebreaker in opposition to the Mets, with two video games left to play.
Read extra: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What's subsequent for the White Sox, Nationals, A's and extra?
What’s the schedule for the wild-card and division collection?
Wild-card collection
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3*
Division collection
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*
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 obligatory)
