The MLB postseason is right around the corner. And with one game left in the regular season — the second of the Mets-Braves doubleheader — the playoff picture is almost complete.
Let’s break down the postseason standings and the playoff bracket.
Which teams are in the playoffs?
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.
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.
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.
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.
New York Mets: The Mets have clinched a wild card in the NL bracket. They will be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, depending on the outcome of Monday’s second game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kansas City Royals: The Royals clinched a wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 5 seed.
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?
Two teams — the Braves and the Diamondbacks — are competing for the final wild-card spot in the National League. The Diamondbacks’ regular season is over.
Following a postponement due to Hurricane Helene, the Mets and Braves are playing a doubleheader on Monday in Atlanta to determine the NL wild-card bracket. The Mets clinched a wild card with their chaotic 8-7 victory in Game 1. If the Braves win the second game, they clinch a wild card, and the D-backs are eliminated. If the Braves get swept Monday, they are eliminated, and the D-backs make the playoffs.
What will the playoff bracket look like?
If the Mets and Braves split the doubleheader, Atlanta will 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 will then head to San Diego to face the Padres, while the Mets will return to Milwaukee to play the Brewers.
If the Mets go 2-0 on Monday, they will head to San Diego as the No. 5 seed, and Arizona will play Milwaukee as the No. 6 seed in a rematch of last year’s wild-card round.
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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)
