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2026 MLB playoff picture: brackets, clinches, tiebreakers
Six teams have clinched playoff spots with races tightening in the final stretch. Here's what you need to know about seeding, tiebreakers, and today's crucial games.
In brief
Six teams have clinched playoff spots with races tightening in the final stretch. Here's what you need to know about seeding, tiebreakers, and today's crucial games. Since 2022, all MLB playoff tiebreakers are decided by head-to-head record, not tiebreaker games. The Rays, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, and Red…
Six teams have clinched playoff spots
The Rays, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, and Red Sox have secured postseason berths. All three NL divisions have been decided, with the Rays clinching the AL East on Tuesday.
AL playoff field is set
The Rays lead the AL East, Guardians the AL Central, and Astros the AL West. Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox occupy the three Wild Card spots.
NL playoff field is set
The Brewers lead the NL Central, Dodgers the NL West, and Braves the NL East. Cubs, Phillies, and Padres occupy the three Wild Card spots.
Wild Card Series start September 29
Each best-of-three Wild Card Series begins on September 29, while each best-of-five Division Series begins on October 3.
Tightest races heating up
The NL Wild Card features a three-way tie between Cubs, Phillies, and Padres. The AL West has Astros and Rangers tied, while the AL Central sees Guardians leading White Sox by one game.
Guardians can clinch today
Cleveland can secure a postseason berth with a win at Boston and losses by either the Rangers or Astros. A sweep of those conditions also clinches the AL Central and a bye.
White Sox need help to clinch
Chicago can clinch a postseason berth with a win at Kansas City and a Rangers loss to the Mets. They lead the Rangers by three games for the final Wild Card berth.
NL Wild Card contenders in action
The Cubs can clinch with a win over Miami or a Diamondbacks loss. The Phillies need a win over Milwaukee plus losses by Arizona or San Diego. The Padres need a win at Los Angeles plus an Arizona loss.
Tiebreakers decided by head-to-head
Since 2022, all playoff tiebreakers are determined mathematically using head-to-head records between teams during the season, not tiebreaker games.
“all playoff tiebreakers have been determined mathematically, rather than via tiebreaker games”
Astros hold AL West tiebreaker
Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas in their battle for the AL West title. The Astros also hold tiebreakers over the Guardians, Rangers, and White Sox.
Cubs control NL Wild Card tiebreaker
Chicago holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over both the Padres and Phillies in the NL Wild Card race. The Cubs would claim the top Wild Card spot if all three teams finish tied.
Brewers own NL tiebreaker edge
Milwaukee holds the tiebreaker over the Dodgers, meaning if both clubs finish with the same record, the Brewers claim the top NL seed and home-field advantage through the NLCS.
Diamondbacks face pivotal series
Arizona will wrap up the regular season against San Diego at Petco Park in a series that will determine the head-to-head tiebreaker between the two clubs and could decide a playoff spot.
Wednesday's key games
Brewers at Phillies at 6:40 p.m. ET, Guardians at Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. ET, and Padres at Dodgers at 10:10 p.m. ET will shape the playoff picture.
The takeaway
Since 2022, all MLB playoff tiebreakers are decided by head-to-head record, not tiebreaker games. The Rays, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, and Red Sox have clinched, but multiple divisions remain undecided.
