The MLB postseason is right around the corner. And with two games left in the regular season — a Mets-Braves doubleheader on Monday — the playoff picture is almost complete.
Let’s break down the state of the MLB standings and the playoff bracket.
Which teams are in the playoffs?
The Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers clinched the NL West title, the No. 1 seed in the NL bracket and the best MLB record overall, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage through the entire postseason.
The Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies clinched the NL East title and the No. 2 seed in the NL bracket, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS.
The Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers were the first team to clinch their division, winning the NL Central back on Sept. 18. They secured the No. 3 seed in the NL bracket and will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
The San Diego Padres: The Padres clinched the top wild card in the NL bracket. They will be the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card series vs. the No. 5 seed.
The New York Yankees: The Yankees clinched the AL East title and the No. 1 seed in the AL bracket, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage through the AL playoffs.
The Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians clinched the AL Central title and the No. 2 seed in the AL bracket, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS.
The Houston Astros: The Astros clinched the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket. They will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed Tigers.
The Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles clinched the top wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card series vs. the No. 5 seed Royals.
The Kansas City Royals: The Royals clinched a wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 5 seed.
The Detroit Tigers: The Tigers clinched a wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 6 seed.
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Who still needs to clinch?
Three teams — the Mets, Braves and Diamondbacks — are competing for the final two wild-card spots in the National League. The Diamondbacks’ regular season is over.
Following a postponement due to Hurricane Helene, the Mets and Braves are set to play a doubleheader on Monday in Atlanta to determine the NL wild-card bracket. They each need a win to clinch a wild card, and if they split the doubleheader, the D-backs are eliminated. If either team is swept Monday, then that team is eliminated, and the D-backs make the playoffs.
What will the playoff bracket look like?
If the Mets and Braves split the doubleheader, Atlanta would be the No. 5 seed and New York the No. 6 seed, based on Atlanta’s winning the season series between the two. The Braves would then head to San Diego to face the Padres, while the Mets would return to Milwaukee to play the Brewers.
If either the Mets or the Braves go 2-0 on Monday, that club would head to San Diego as the No. 5 seed, while Arizona would play Milwaukee as the No. 6 seed in a rematch of last year’s wild-card round.
What are the tiebreakers?
No longer do teams play a Game 163 if they finish the season tied. Instead, tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head records first and, if needed, intradivision records second.
Here are the tiebreakers that are relevant Monday:
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The Mets have clinched the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
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The Braves have clinched the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
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The Braves hold the tiebreaker against the Mets, with two games left to play.
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What’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)
Source Agencies
