Two spots remain in the 2026 postseason field.
While 10 teams have already locked up a postseason bid, there are still some major battles taking place. The Astros and Rangers are fighting for the American League West, while the Phillies and D-backs are competing for the final National League Wild Card berth.
As you keep an eye on the standings with just two days remaining in the regular season, here is everything you need to know about how the playoff field is shaping up, as well as info about potential tiebreakers and clinch scenarios for each contender.
WHO IS IN PLAYOFF POSITION?
Here is a look at how the postseason field is shaping up. (Teams listed in order of seeding.)
AL playoff teams: Rays (AL East), Guardians (AL Central), Astros (AL West), Yankees (Wild Card), Red Sox (Wild Card), White Sox (Wild Card)
NL playoff teams: Brewers (NL Central), Dodgers (NL West), Braves (NL East), Padres (Wild Card), Cubs (Wild Card), Phillies (Wild Card)
For a look at the full bracket, see the top of this page.
Each of the best-of-three Wild Card Series is set to begin on Tuesday, while each of the best-of-five Division Series is set to begin next Saturday, Oct. 3.
WHO HAS CLINCHED A PLAYOFF SPOT?
The Rays, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Guardians and Padres have all clinched a postseason spot. All three NL divisions have been decided: The Brewers clinched the NL Central on Sept. 15, the Dodgers won the NL West on Sept. 17, and the Braves wrapped up the NL East on Sunday. The Red Sox secured an AL Wild Card on Sunday and clinched the AL's No. 5 seed with their win over the Cubs in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Friday. The Rays clinched the AL East on Tuesday, which locked the Yankees into the top AL Wild Card spot.
The Cubs and Padres clinched NL Wild Cards on Thursday, while the White Sox and Guardians also clinched postseason spots on the same day. Cleveland clinched the AL Central on Saturday, making the White Sox the No. 6 seed as a Wild Card.
WHAT ARE THE TIGHTEST RACES?
AL West: Rangers hold a half-game lead on the Astros, pending Houston's game tonight against the A's (Astros hold tiebreaker)
NL Wild Card: Phillies lead D-backs by 1 game for final berth (D-backs hold tiebreaker)
WHO CAN CLINCH TODAY?
• The Phillies can clinch a postseason berth today with a win vs. the Rays AND a loss by the D-backs vs. the Padres.
• The Padres can clinch the No. 4 seed and home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series today with a win vs. the D-backs.
WHO OWNS THE TIEBREAKERS?
Since 2022, all playoff tiebreakers have been determined mathematically, rather than via tiebreaker games. That means ties for division titles and postseason berths, as well as for seeding, come down first to head-to-head record between those teams during the season, with other tiebreakers available if needed.
Below, MLB.com is tracking the progress of relevant tiebreaker scenarios for contenders.
AL EAST
Rays (Clinched AL East, AL No. 1 seed)
The Rays clinched the AL East and the No. 1 seed with a win over the Yankees in the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, guaranteeing them home-field advantage through the ALCS.
Yankees (Clinched 1st AL Wild Card)
By taking one of two games in a doubleheader against the Rays on Tuesday, coupled with a Red Sox loss to the Guardians, the Yankees locked in the top AL Wild Card.
Red Sox (Clinched 2nd AL Wild Card)
With Boston's win over the Cubs in Game 1 of their doubleheader Friday, the Red Sox secured the No. 5 seed in the American League playoffs and will be the road team against the Yankees in the Wild Card Series for the second consecutive season.
AL CENTRAL
Guardians (Clinched AL Central, AL No. 2 seed)
With their win over the Royals on Saturday and the White Sox loss to the Rockies minutes later, the Guardians clinched their seventh AL Central title in the past 11 seasons and the No. 2 seed in the AL. They'll have a bye into the ALDS and await the winner of the Wild Card Series between the White Sox and AL West champion.
White Sox (Clinched 3rd AL Wild Card)
Chicago's loss to the Rockies on Saturday, shortly after Cleveland's win at Kansas City, clinched the division for the Guardians. The White Sox will return to the postseason as the sixth seed in the AL, facing the winner of the AL West on the road in a Wild Card Series beginning on Tuesday.
AL WEST
Astros (2nd in AL West, half-game behind Rangers pending tonight's game vs. A's)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: Rangers
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: N/A
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
With the Astros and Rangers fighting for the AL West, Houston's head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas looms large.
Rangers (in 1st in AL West, half-game ahead of Astros, pending Houston's game tonight vs. A's)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: N/A
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: Astros
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
The Rangers would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker to the Astros if the two clubs finish tied atop the AL West.
NL EAST
Braves (Clinched NL East, NL No. 3 seed)
Atlanta is locked into the NL's No. 3 seed after Thursday's loss to the Reds and will face the NL's No. 6 seed in a best-of-three Wild Card Series at Truist Park.
Phillies (3rd in NL Wild Card; 1 game ahead of AZ)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: Padres
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: Cubs, D-backs
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
The Phillies would lose a tiebreaker against the D-backs on division record.
NL CENTRAL
Brewers (Clinched NL Central, NL No. 1 seed)
With the best record in MLB, the Brewers have earned a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Cubs (2nd in NL Wild Card, 1 1/2 games ahead of AZ)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: D-backs, Padres, Phillies
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: N/A
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
The Cubs hold the head-to-head tiebreakers over all three of their foes in the NL Wild Card race.
NL WEST
Dodgers (Clinched NL West, NL No. 2 seed)
The Dodgers are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NL and will receive a bye to the NLDS.
Padres (1st in NL Wild Card, 1 1/2 games ahead of CHC, 2 games ahead of PHI)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: N/A
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: Cubs, Phillies
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
The Padres lost the season series to both the Cubs and Phillies, so they would be the third NL Wild Card in case of a three-team tie.
D-backs (1 game behind PHI for 3rd for NL Wild Card)
- Win tiebreaker vs.: Phillies
- Lose tiebreaker vs.: Cubs
- Tiebreaker TBD vs.: N/A
The D-backs are just one game behind the Phillies and have a valuable tiebreaker in hand.