MLB Playoffs Standings: As the 2024 MLB regular season comes to an end, teams are fighting hard to secure their spots in the postseason. The playoff picture is shaping up in both the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), but some teams are still battling for those final playoff berths. Let’s take a closer look at the current MLB playoff standings and where each team stands in the division and wild-card races.
When Do the 2024 MLB Playoffs Start?
The MLB playoffs are set to begin on October 3, 2024. The postseason will follow the same format as in previous years, with three division winners and three wild-card teams from each league qualifying. The wild-card round is a best-of-three series, followed by a best-of-five division series. The league championship series and the World Series will be best-of-seven series.
National League Playoff Picture
Division Leaders:
- NL East: Philadelphia Phillies (87-58)
- NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers (86-59)
- NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers (83-61)
These teams are sitting comfortably at the top of their respective divisions and are likely to secure their postseason spots. The Phillies, Dodgers, and Brewers are all in good form as they head toward the playoffs.
Wild-Card Teams:
- Wild Card No. 1: San Diego Padres (82-64) – 2.5 games ahead of Mets, Braves
- Wild Card No. 2: Arizona Diamondbacks (81-64) – 2 games ahead of Mets, Braves
- Wild Card No. 3: New York Mets (79-66), Atlanta Braves (79-66)
The NL wild-card race is heating up. The Padres and Diamondbacks hold the top two wild-card spots, but the Mets and Braves are tied for the third spot. With just a few games left, every win matters for these teams.
Teams in the Hunt:
- Chicago Cubs (75-70) – 4 games back
- St. Louis Cardinals (72-72) – 6.5 games back
- San Francisco Giants (71-74) – 8 games back
- Cincinnati Reds (71-75) – 8.5 games back
- Pittsburgh Pirates (69-76) – 10 games back
These teams still have a shot at making the playoffs, but they need to string together wins and hope that the teams ahead of them falter. The Cubs, Cardinals, and Giants are within striking distance, but time is running out.
American League Playoff Picture
Division Leaders:
- AL East: New York Yankees (83-62)
- AL Central: Cleveland Guardians (83-62)
- AL West: Houston Astros (77-67)
The Yankees and Guardians are leading their divisions and have a strong chance of making the playoffs. The Astros are holding onto their division lead, but they still need to be careful as the wild-card race in the AL is close.
Wild-Card Teams:
- Wild Card No. 1: Baltimore Orioles (83-63) – 5.5 games ahead of Twins
- Wild Card No. 2: Kansas City Royals (80-66) – 2.5 games ahead of Twins
- Wild Card No. 3: Minnesota Twins (77-68)
The Orioles, Royals, and Twins currently hold the wild-card spots in the AL, but there are a few teams just behind them that could still make a push for the playoffs.
Teams in the Hunt:
- Detroit Tigers (74-71) – 3 games back
- Seattle Mariners (73-72) – 4 games back
- Boston Red Sox (73-72) – 4 games back
- Tampa Bay Rays (71-74) – 6 games back
- Texas Rangers (70-75) – 7 games back
The Tigers, Mariners, and Red Sox are still very much in the race for the final wild-card spot. The Rays and Rangers are a little further back, but anything can happen with a strong finish to the season.
Longshots in the Playoff Race
While some teams are still in the hunt, others have slim chances of making the playoffs. Here’s where these teams stand in the wild-card race:
National League Longshots:
- Washington Nationals (64-80) – 14.5 games back
- Miami Marlins (54-91) – 25 games back
- Colorado Rockies (54-91) – 25 games back
American League Longshots:
- Toronto Blue Jays (69-77) – 8.5 games back
- Oakland Athletics (63-82) – 14 games back
- Los Angeles Angels (60-85) – 17 games back
- Chicago White Sox (33-113) – 44.5 games back
These teams are too far behind in the standings to realistically make the playoffs this year, but they will be looking to finish the season strong and build momentum for next year.
Conclusion
The 2024 MLB playoff race is reaching its peak, and every game counts as teams battle for the final postseason spots. In the National League, the Padres, Diamondbacks, Mets, and Braves are all fighting for wild-card berths, while the Cubs and Cardinals hope to sneak in. In the American League, the Orioles, Royals, and Twins are in strong positions, but the Tigers, Mariners, and Red Sox are still chasing them.
As the season winds down, it will be exciting to see which teams secure their spots in the 2024 MLB playoffs. Stay tuned for more updates on the MLB playoff standings and how the final few games of the regular season play out!
