MLB Playoff Tracker: Odds, Bracket, and Next Clinching Teams

During the final month of the MLB regular season, some teams are already thinking about October while others are locked in tight pennant races.

The Tampa Bay Rays , Milwaukee Brewers , Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees all have clinched postseason spots. On Tuesday, the Brewers became the first team to clinch a division title.

The Atlanta Braves also have a comfortable division lead in the National League, while the Boston Red Sox are well on their way to playoff appearances in the American League.

Beyond those top teams, there are many storylines to watch down the stretch: Where do current playoff matchups stand? Which games should you be watching each day leading up to October? Who will clinch next? And what does the playoff schedule look like?

Here's everything you need to know for the homestretch.

Key links: Standings | Wild-card standings | Strength of schedule

Jump to: Bracket | Next to clinch | AL odds | NL odds | Key games

American League

Wild-card round: (6) White Sox at (3) Astros, (5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees

ALDS: White Sox/Astros vs. (2) Guardians, Red Sox/Yankees vs. (1) Rays

National League

Wild-card round: (6) Padres at (3) Braves, (5) Phillies at (4) Cubs

NLDS: Padres/Braves vs. (2) Dodgers, Phillies/Cubs vs. (1) Brewers

The Braves could clinch a spot this week. The Cubs, Phillies, and Red Sox all have at least a 99% chance of making the playoffs.

The Rays and Yankees are battling for the AL East crown with the Red Sox also very likely to be playing in October. The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians are in a tight race for the AL Central title, and the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are part of a muddled AL West and wild-card picture.

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

The Brewers became the first team to clinch a division while the Dodgers and Braves also have comfortable division leads, so any NL intrigue will likely come in the wild-card races. The Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies have separated themselves there, with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks battling for the other spot.

And what about when these teams get to the playoffs? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Looking for something to watch today? Here are the playoff implications of every MLB matchup

Here's the 2026 MLB postseason schedule, from the wild-card round through the World Series.

Wild-card series

Best of three

Tuesday, Sept. 29

ALWC A, Game 1

ALWC B, Game 1

NLWC A, Game 1

NLWC B, Game 1

Wednesday, Sept. 30

ALWC A, Game 2

ALWC B, Game 2

NLWC A, Game 2

NLWC B, Game 2

Thursday, Oct. 1

ALWC A, Game 3 *

ALWC B, Game 3 *

NLWC A, Game 3 *

NLWC B, Game 3 *

* If necessary

Division series

​Best of five

Saturday, Oct. 3

ALDS A, Game 1

ALDS B, Game 1

NLDS A, Game 1

NLDS B, Game 1

Sunday, Oct. 4

NLDS A, Game 2

NLDS B, Game 2

Monday, Oct. 5

ALDS A, Game 2

ALDS B, Game 2

Tuesday, Oct. 6

NLDS A, Game 3

NLDS B, Game 3

Wednesday, Oct. 7

ALDS A, Game 3

ALDS B, Game 3

NLDS A, Game 4*

NLDS B, Game 4*

Thursday, Oct. 8

ALDS A, Game 4*

ALDS B, Game 4*

Friday, Oct. 9

NLDS A, Game 5*

NLDS B, Game 5*

Saturday, Oct. 10

ALDS A, Game 5*

ALDS B, Game 5*

* If necessary

League championship series

Best of seven

Sunday, Oct. 11

NLCS Game 1

Monday, Oct. 12

ALCS Game 1

NLCS Game 2

Tuesday, Oct. 13

ALCS Game 2

Wednesday, Oct. 14

NLCS Game 3

Thursday, Oct. 15

ALCS Game 3

NLCS Game 4

Friday, Oct. 16

ALCS Game 4

NLCS Game 5*

Saturday, Oct. 17

ALCS Game 5*

Sunday, Oct. 18

NLCS Game 6*

Monday, Oct. 19

ALCS Game 6*

NLCS Game 7*

Tuesday, Oct. 20

ALCS Game 7*

* If necessary

World Series

Best of seven

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26

Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27

Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 28*

Game 6: Friday, Oct. 30*

Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 31*

* If necessary

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49752366/mlb-2026-playoff-tracker-clinch-scenarios-postseason-bracket-schedule)._