2026 MLB Playoff Picture, Standings: Rays Take AL East Over Yankees, Red Sox

There isn't anything better than postseason baseball. And that means the MLB playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams hone in on their postseason spots. In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have clinched their fourth straight NL Central crown while the Los Angeles Dodgers have their 13th NL West title in 14 seasons. The Atlanta Braves captured the NL East, while the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks are battling for the wild card spots. The races remain tight in the American League. The Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox are locked in an AL Central battle while the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers duke it out in the AL West. The Tampa Bay Rays took the AL East, with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox booking wild-card spots. Here is where the major postseason races stand as we inch closer to the postseason standings. Standings are as of Sept. 22. JUMP TO:Current Bracket | Clinching Scenarios AL: East | Central | West | Wild CardNL: East | Central | West | Wild Card What's The Bracket As Of Now? American League Wild-card round (best of three):(6) White Sox at (3) Astros(5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees AL Division Series (best of five): White Sox/Astros vs. (2) GuardiansRed Sox/Yankees vs. (1) RaysAL Championship Series (best of seven):TBD vs. TBD National League Wild-card round (best of three):(6) Phillies at (3) Braves(5) Padres at (4) Cubs AL Division Series (best of five): Phillies/Braves vs. (2) Dodgers, Padres/Cubs vs. (1) Brewers NL Championship Series (best of seven):TBD vs. TBD Wednesday's Clinching Scenarios: What's At Stake? 1. The Chicago Cubs can clinch an NL wild-card berth if they beat Miami, or Arizona loses to Colorado.2. San Diego can clinch an NL wild-card berth if they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Arizona loses to Colorado. AL East The Tampa Bay Rays have clinched the division title, ahead of wild-card teams New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees will host the wild-card series but will be without star slugger Aaron Judge, who'll be sidelined through that round due to a leg injury. The Blue Jays and Orioles are clinging to slim hopes for the AL's third and final wild-card spot. AL Central Two AL Central teams – the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox – are battling for the division crown. One team will win the division while the other is looking at a wild-card spot. The division winner will have a wild-card bye. Minnesota, Kansas City and Detroit are already out. AL West Two AL West teams – the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers – are battling for the division crown. Only one of these teams is likely to advance to the postseason. The winner will also host one of the wild-card series. The Mariners have an outside shot at the wild-card spot, while the Angels and Athletics are done. AL Wild Card New York and Boston hold the top AL wild card spots, with the Yankees set to host one of the two series. The White Sox and Texas are battling for the third and final spot. Baltimore, Toronto, Seattle cannot be ruled out just yet in the wild-card race. The Twins, Tigers, Royals, Angels and Athletics have been eliminated from playoff contention. NL East The first-place Atlanta Braves have punched their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years and have also captured the NL East. The Philadelphia Phillies are honing on a wild-card spot. The other three division teams – Marlins, Mets, and Nationals – have been eliminated. NL Central The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up the NL Central division and could finish as MLB's sole 100-game winner this season. They have wrapped up a wild-card bye and home-field advantage through the NLDS. The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of a wild card spot. The Pirates, Cardinals and Reds as the division's eliminated teams. NL West The Dodgers have taken another step toward a third straight World Series title. They have wrapped up a 13th NL West title in the past 14 seasons. L.A. has now made the postseason in 14 straight seasons, tying Atlanta's all-time record set from 1991-2005. The Dodgers will aim to finish in one of the top two spots in the NL, which would provide a much-needed bye with star first baseman Freddie Freeman and MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani still working their way back from nagging injuries. San Diego is putting some distance between them and the Diamondbacks in the wild card chase. The Rockies and Giants are out. NL Wild Card Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Diego top the NL wild card standings, with Arizona trying to keep pace. Teams that have been eliminated are the Marlins, Cardinals, Pirates, Rockies, Giants, Reds, Mets and Nationals.