After Wednesday’s victory over the Seattle Mariners, the New York Yankees are returning to the MLB playoffs.

New York is the second Team that will secure a postseason berth, along with the Milwaukee Brewers (who won the National League Central on Wednesday). The Bronx Bombers have been battling the Baltimore Orioles all season for the top spot in the AL East. Those two teams, along with the Cleveland Guardians, are still battling for the best overall record in the AL.

Here are the updated playoff tables and possible pairings leading up to Wednesday’s games.

Expected matches in the American League playoffs

• First round bye: No. 1 New York Yankees, No. 2 Cleveland Guardians
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Minnesota Twins, No. 4 Baltimore Orioles vs. No. 5 Kansas City Royals

Expected playoff games of the National League

• First round bye: No. 1 Philadelphia Phillies, No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers vs. No. 6 New York Mets, No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Arizona Diamondbacks

After a mid-season lull, the Yankees seem to be getting back on track at just the right time.

1. New York Yankees (89-63)*
2. Baltimore Orioles (84-68, 5GB)
3. Boston Red Sox (76-76, 13GB)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (74-78, 15GB)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (72-80, 17GB)

1. Cleveland Guardians (88-65)
2. Kansas City Royals (82-71, 6GB)
3. Minnesota Twins (80-72, 7.5GB)
4. Detroit Tigers (80-73, 8GB)
5. Chicago White Sox (36-117, 52GB)

1. Houston Astros (82-70)
2. Seattle Mariners (77-75, 5GB)
3. Texas Rangers (73-79, 9 GB)
4. Oakland Athletics (67-86, 15.5 GB)
5. Los Angeles Angels (62-90, 20GB)

1. Baltimore Orioles (84-68, +4 games)
2. Kansas City Royals (82-71, +1.5 games)
3. Minnesota Twins (80-72)
4. Detroit Tigers (80-73, 0.5GB)
5. Seattle Mariners (77-75, 3GB)
6. Boston Red Sox (76-76, 4GB)
7. Tampa Bay Rays (74-78, 7GB)

1. Philadelphia Phillies (91-61)
2. New York Mets (84-68, 7 GB)
3. Atlanta Braves (82-70, 9 GB)
4. Washington Nationals (68-84, 23 GB)
5. Miami Marlins (56-96, 35 GB)

1. Milwaukee Brewers (88-64)**
2. Chicago Cubs (77-75, 11 GB)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (77-75, 11 GB)
4. Cincinnati Reds, (74-79, 14.5GB)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-81, 17GB)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (90-62)
2. San Diego Padres (87-66, 3.5GB)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-68, 6GB)
4. San Francisco Giants (74-78, 16GB)
5. Colorado Rockies (59-94, 31.5GB)

1. San Diego Padres (87-66, +2.5 games)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-68)
3. New York Mets (84-68)
4. Atlanta Braves (82-70, 2GB)
5. Chicago Cubs (77-75, 7GB)
6. St. Louis Cardinals (77-75, 7GB)

*Indicates a secured playoff spot

**Denotes the final division

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are the best offensive duo in the AL, combining for 93 home runs and 239 RBIs. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has provided much-needed power in the middle of the lineup with a slash line of .289/.344/.514 in 37 games since being acquired from the Miami Marlins.

New York’s biggest rival in the AL may be the Kansas City Royals. Their offseason spending to sign Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha has paid off tremendously. The Royals’ rotation leads the entire MLB in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement (16.6) and ranks second in ERA (3.56).

If the Royals can avoid a bullpen implosion and have Bobby Witt Jr. lead the lineup, they have the makings of a dangerous playoff team. The Orioles are the only AL contender whose offense can keep up with New York, but that unit has struggled since the All-Star break.

Cleveland is an impossible team to rate because their starting lineup is the worst in the AL, but that’s offset by the fact that they have the best bullpen in the league.

The Yankees have struggled in the final stages of the game because of their bullpen problems, but manager Aaron Boone has done a good job of being more creative with the pairings rather than locking people into fixed roles.

Clay Holmes will be the biggest question mark with 13 blown saves, the most in the MLB. If his problems continue, Boone should not hesitate to find another option for the ninth inning.

Overall, the Yankees are a force to be reckoned with to make it to the World Series for the first time since 2009. They have an excellent lineup, especially up top, and they will make it tough for any pitcher they face in a short series.