The MLB postseason is just around the corner. And with just a few days left in the regular season, any team with World Series aspirations still has a lot to offer.

Let’s break down the current state of the MLB standings and playoffs.

Who has secured a spot in the playoffs?

The Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers clinched the NL West title and are a top-two seed in the NL round, meaning they have a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS. They are still competing with the Phillies for the top seed and the NL’s home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies clinched the NL East title and are a top-two seed in the NL round, meaning they have a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the NLDS. They are still competing with the Dodgers for first place in the Netherlands.

The New York Yankees: The Yankees clinched the AL East title and are a top-two seed in the AL round, meaning they have a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS. They are still competing with the Guardians for first place in the AL.

The Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians clinched the AL Central title and are a top-two seed in the AL round, meaning they have a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the ALDS. They’re still competing with the Yankees for the top spot in the AL.

The Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers became the first team to win their division, retaking the NL Central on September 18. They secured the No. 3 seed in the NL bracket and will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.

The Houston Astros: The Astros secured the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket. They will host a wildcard series against the No. 6 seed.

The Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have secured the top wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 4 seed and play a wildcard series against the No. 5 seed.

The San Diego Padres: The Padres have secured the top wild card in the NL round. They will be the No. 4 seed and play a wildcard series against the No. 5 seed.

The Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have secured a wild card in the AL bracket. They haven’t secured their seed yet, but will finish in 5th or 6th place.

The Kansas City Royals: The Royals have secured a wild card in the AL bracket. They haven’t secured their seed yet, but will finish in 5th or 6th place.

Subscribe Baseball Bar B Cast To Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Who still has to achieve victory?

Three teams – the Mets, Braves and Diamondbacks – are competing for the final two spots in the National League. According to FanGraphs, the Braves are likely to clinch one of those spots, with playoff odds over 80%. The odds for the Diamondbacks and Mets are both between 50% and 60%.

Six of the 10 teams that secured their postseason spots are still competing for a spot in the playoff round, either among the division winners or the wild cards. The Brewers, Astros, Padres and Orioles have secured their spots and have nothing else to play for.

What else is there to win?

Once a team has secured their ticket to the postseason, there is still a lot to play for. Teams could be fighting for playoff positions until the final weekend of the season.

Numbers 1 and 2 in each league go to the division winners with the two best records. These teams receive a bye through the wild card round and home field advantage in the division series.

The No. 3 seed goes to the winner of the third division, and that team hosts a three-game wild card series against the No. 6 seed (which goes to the third wild card). The top wildcard team will receive the No. 4 seed in the Wildcard round and hosting duties against the No. 5 seed.

The higher seed will also receive home field advantage in the championship series once we get that far.

What would the playoff round look like if the season ended today?

American League

Wildcard: No. 6 Kansas City Royals* vs. No. 3 Houston Astros**
ALDS: Wildcard winner vs. No. 2 Cleveland Guardians*
Wildcard: No. 5 Detroit Tigers* vs. No. 4 Baltimore Orioles**
ALDS: Wildcard winner vs. No. 1 New York Yankees*

Bundesliga

Wildcard: #6 New York Mets vs. #3 Milwaukee Brewers**
NLDS: Wildcard winner vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies*
Wildcard: #5 Atlanta Braves vs. #4 San Diego Padres**
NLDS: Wildcard winner vs. No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers*

(*he secured the playoff spot, **he secured the postseason seeding)

What are the tiebreakers?

Teams will no longer play Game 163 if they end the season in a draw. Instead, the tiebreakers are determined first using the head-to-head records and then, if necessary, using the intradivision records.

Here are the tiebreakers that could come into play:

• The Yankees won the tiebreaker against the Guardians.

• The Phillies won the tiebreaker against the Dodgers.

• The Royals won the tiebreaker against the Tigers.

• The Mets won the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.

• The Braves won the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.

• The Braves are in a tiebreaker against the Mets with two games left to play.

Read more: 2024 MLB Offseason Preview: What’s Next for the White Sox, Cubs, Twins and More??

What is the schedule for the Wild Card and Division Series?

Wildcard series

Game 1: Tuesday, October 1st
Game 2: Wednesday, October 2nd
Game 3: Thursday, October 3rd*

Division Series

ALDS

Game 1: Saturday, October 5th
Game 2: Monday, October 7th
Game 3: Wednesday, October 9th
Game 4: Thursday, October 10th*
Game 5: Saturday, October 12th*

NLDS

Game 1: Saturday, October 5th
Game 2: Sunday, October 6th
Game 3: Tuesday, October 8th
Game 4: Wednesday, October 9th*
Game 5: Friday, October 11th*

(*if required)