The MLB postseason is quickly approaching, and with only three games remaining in the regular season, every team with hopes of reaching the World Series has much at stake.
Let’s delve into the current state of the MLB standings and the playoff picture as of now.
Who has secured a playoff spot?
On Thursday, the Dodgers secured the NL West title and a top-two seed following their victory over the Padres. This win guarantees them a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS. With a 20-4 victory against the Marlins on September 19, the Dodgers marked their 12th consecutive postseason appearance. In that game, Ohtani achieved an extraordinary milestone, completing the first 50-50 season in MLB history.
The Yankees, with a 10-1 win over the Orioles on Thursday, clinched the AL East, earning a top-two seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage in the ALDS. They are currently vying with the Guardians for the No. 1 seed in the American League.
On Wednesday, the Phillies achieved a top-two seed in the NL playoffs by defeating the Cubs, coupled with the Brewers’ loss to the Pirates. As the NL East champions, they will enjoy a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS. They are in competition with the Dodgers for the NL’s No. 1 seed.
The Orioles secured an AL playoff berth on Tuesday, following their victory over the Yankees and the Twins’ loss to the Marlins. However, their postseason seed has not yet been finalized.
Also on Tuesday, the Astros clinched their postseason berth, winning their fourth consecutive AL West title with a win against the Mariners. They will enter as the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket and will host a wild-card series.
The Padres locked in their spot in the NL postseason bracket with a 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday, which concluded with a triple play. Their postseason seeding remains undecided.
On September 19, the Guardians secured their place in October with a walk-off victory over the Twins. They clinched the AL Central title on Saturday, and with a 6-1 win against the Reds on Tuesday, they ensured at least the No. 2 seed in the American League, providing them a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS.
The Brewers clinched the NL Central title on September 18. Their playoff seed has yet to be confirmed.
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Who can clinch next?
As the postseason draws nearer, the Royals, Tigers, and Mets are in a strong position, with playoff odds exceeding 70%, according to FanGraphs. The Diamondbacks are above a 50% chance but still have some ground to cover before reaching October.
Among the eight teams that have already secured their playoff spots, seven are still vying for better seeding in the postseason bracket, with only the Astros having locked in their seed (No. 3 in the AL).
While the Twins and Braves have not been eliminated yet, they remain in the wild-card race, requiring significant effort and assistance to maintain their pursuit.
What’s still up for grabs?
After a team secures its postseason berth, there continues to be plenty at stake. Teams may compete intensely for playoff positioning right up until the final weekend of the season.
The division winners with the top two records in each league will claim the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds, respectively. These teams will benefit from a bye in the wild-card round and earn the hosting rights for the division series.
The No. 3 seed will be awarded to the third division winner, who will host a three-game wild-card series against the No. 6 seed (allocated to the third wild-card team). The highest wild-card team will grab the No. 4 seed and will host the No. 5 seed in the wild-card round.
Furthermore, the higher seed will enjoy home-field advantage during the championship series, should we reach that stage.
What would the playoff bracket look like if the season ended today?
A lot could still change between now and Oct. 1. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
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)
The pursuit of the 2024 postseason is underway. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
What are the tiebreakers?
Teams will no longer compete in a Game 163 for tied standings at season’s end. Instead, head-to-head records are the primary method of determining tiebreakers, followed by intradivision records if necessary.
Here are the tiebreakers that might be applicable:
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The Yankees hold the tiebreaker over the Guardians.
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The Phillies have secured the tiebreakers against both the Dodgers and Brewers.
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The Twins clinched the tiebreakers against the Tigers and Royals.
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The Royals possess the tiebreaker over the Tigers.
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The Mets have clinched the tiebreakers against the Padres and Diamondbacks.
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The Braves maintain the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
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The Diamondbacks lead the tiebreaker against the Padres, with three games remaining.
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The Braves hold the tiebreaker against the Mets, with two games left.
Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What’s next for the White Sox, Nationals, A’s and more?
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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)
2024 MLB Postseason Preview: Playoff Picture and Clinching Scenarios as Regular Season Nears End
Current MLB Standings Overview
As the 2024 MLB regular season approaches its climax, fans and teams alike are gearing up for the highly anticipated postseason. The playoff picture is evolving, and the excitement is palpable. Let’s dive into the current standings and take a look at the clinching scenarios that could impact the playoffs.
American League Standings
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 93 | 66 | .585 |
| Houston Astros | 90 | 69 | .566 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 88 | 71 | .554 |
| Chicago White Sox | 85 | 74 | .534 |
National League Standings
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 94 | 65 | .592 |
| Atlanta Braves | 91 | 68 | .573 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 89 | 70 | .560 |
| San Diego Padres | 86 | 73 | .541 |
Clinching Scenarios for the 2024 MLB Postseason
With the regular season winding down, several teams are on the verge of clinching playoff spots. Here’s a breakdown of the clinching scenarios that fans should watch for.
American League Clinching Scenarios
- New York Yankees: The Yankees can clinch the AL East title with a combination of 3 wins and Tampa Bay losses.
- Houston Astros: The Astros need 2 wins in their last series to secure a Wild Card spot.
- Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays can clinch a playoff berth with any combination of their wins and losses by the White Sox and Mariners.
National League Clinching Scenarios
- Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers can wrap up the NL West by winning just one more game.
- Atlanta Braves: The Braves will secure a postseason spot with their next 3 wins.
- Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies need to win 2 of their last 3 games to guarantee a Wild Card berth.
Key Players to Watch in the Postseason
As we prepare for the 2024 MLB postseason, several players are poised to make a significant impact. Here are some standout athletes to keep an eye on:
American League
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees): The reigning MVP’s power-hitting capabilities could be crucial for the Yankees’ postseason success.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays): Known for his offensive prowess, Guerrero’s performance will be vital in the playoffs.
- Framber Valdez (Houston Astros): Valdez’s pitching skills can set the tone for the Astros’ rotation in crucial playoff games.
National League
- Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers): Freeman’s leadership and hitting are key components for the Dodgers’ playoff run.
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves): Acuña’s speed and power make him a potential game-changer in the postseason.
- Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies): Wheeler’s ability to dominate on the mound will be critical for the Phillies’ chances.
Benefits of Following the MLB Postseason
Engaging with the MLB postseason provides numerous benefits for fans:
- Excitement: The thrill of playoff baseball creates an electrifying atmosphere that few sports can match.
- Community: Sharing the experience with fellow fans fosters a sense of community and camaraderie.
- Increased Engagement: The stakes are high, making every game more exciting and increasing viewer engagement.
Practical Tips for Enjoying the Postseason
Here are some practical tips to enhance your MLB postseason viewing experience:
- Plan Your Schedule: With multiple games often played in a day, setting a schedule can help you catch all the action.
- Create a Game Day Tradition: Whether it’s a family gathering or a viewing party with friends, make the postseason memorable.
- Stay Updated: Follow MLB news outlets and social media for live updates on scores, player performances, and injury reports.
Historical Context: Recent Postseason Trends
Understanding recent postseason trends can provide insight into what to expect in 2024. Over the last few years, certain patterns have emerged:
- Wild Card Teams Success: Wild Card teams have increasingly made deep playoff runs, showcasing the unpredictability of the postseason.
- Pitching Dominance: Teams with strong pitching staffs tend to perform better in high-pressure playoff situations.
- Home Field Advantage: Historically, teams playing at home have a better chance of advancing, emphasizing the importance of regular-season standings.
