The MLB postseason is fast approaching, and with just two games remaining in the regular season—a Mets-Braves doubleheader on Monday—the playoff landscape is nearly finalized.
Let’s take a closer look at the current state of the MLB standings and the playoff bracket.
Which teams have secured playoff spots?
The Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have clinched the NL West title, securing the No. 1 seed in the National League and holding the best record in MLB overall. As a result, they receive a bye in the wild-card round and will enjoy home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies captured the NL East title and the No. 2 seed in the National League, granting them a bye in the wild-card round along with home-field advantage in the NLDS.
The Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers were the first team to secure their division, clinching the NL Central on September 18. They earned the No. 3 seed in the NL bracket and are set to host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.
The San Diego Padres: The Padres have claimed the top wild-card position in the NL bracket. They will enter as the No. 4 seed and will host a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed.
The New York Yankees: The Yankees secured the AL East title and the No. 1 seed in the American League, which means they receive a bye in the wild-card round and will have home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.
The Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians clinched the AL Central title as well as the No. 2 seed in the AL bracket, affording them a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS.
The Houston Astros: The Astros have locked in the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the American League, and they will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed, the Tigers.
The Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have secured the top wild card in the AL bracket. They are the No. 4 seed and will host a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed, the Royals.
The Kansas City Royals: The Royals have clinched a wild card in the AL bracket, entering as the No. 5 seed.
The Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have also secured a wild card in the AL bracket, making them the No. 6 seed.
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Which teams need to clinch?
The Mets, Braves, and Diamondbacks are vying for the last two wild-card spots in the National League, with the Diamondbacks having finished their regular season.
Due to Hurricane Helene causing a postponement, the Mets and Braves are scheduled to compete in a doubleheader on Monday in Atlanta to finalize the NL wild-card bracket. Both teams require a victory to secure a wild card; should they split the doubleheader, the D-backs will be out of contention. If one team is swept on Monday, it will face elimination, thereby allowing the D-backs to enter the playoffs.
What will the playoff bracket look like?
If the Mets and Braves split their games in the doubleheader, Atlanta would be positioned as the No. 5 seed while New York would take the No. 6 seed, given that Atlanta won the season series against the Mets. In that case, the Braves would head to San Diego to face the Padres, while the Mets would return to Milwaukee to challenge the Brewers.
This illustrates the playoff bracket if the Mets and Braves split Monday’s doubleheader. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
If either the Mets or the Braves achieve a 2-0 victory on Monday, that team would proceed to San Diego as the No. 5 seed, while Arizona would match up with Milwaukee as the No. 6 seed, renewing their rivalry from last year’s wild-card round.
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The playoff bracket scenario if the Braves were to win both games of Monday’s doubleheader. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
The playoff bracket scenario if the Mets were to win both games of Monday’s doubleheader. (Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
What are the tiebreakers?
Teams will no longer conduct a Game 163 if they end the season in a tie. Instead, tiebreakers are decided first by head-to-head records, and second, if necessary, by intradivision records.
The following tiebreakers apply for Monday:
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The Mets have secured the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
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The Braves have secured the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.
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Currently, the Braves hold the tiebreaker against the Mets, with two games remaining.
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