As the 2024 MLB regular season winds down, several teams have already secured their spots in the playoffs. The Milwaukee Brewers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot by winning the NL Central title. Following suit, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies also punched their tickets to the postseason. In the American League, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians have clinched playoff berths, with the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros looking strong contenders.
While the division races are heating up, there are many other storylines to keep an eye on as the regular season wraps up. Fans are eager to know the current playoff matchups, which games to watch, and which team will be next to clinch a postseason berth. Let’s dive into the details of the playoff picture and what to expect in October.
The Milwaukee Brewers secured their playoff spot by winning the NL Central crown for the third time in four seasons. The New York Yankees clinched a spot with a win over the Seattle Mariners and lead the AL East race comfortably. The Cleveland Guardians also secured a playoff spot by winning the AL Central crown. The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their spot with a dominant win over the Marlins, inching closer to the NL West title. The Philadelphia Phillies joined the playoff-bound teams with a win over the Mets, closing in on their first NL East title since 2011.
Next in line to clinch are the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, with both teams needing just a couple more wins to secure their spots. In the NL, the San Diego Padres are on the verge of clinching a wild-card spot with their magic number at one.
Looking at the current playoff matchups, in the American League, the wild-card round would feature the Tigers facing the Astros and the Royals taking on the Orioles. In the National League, the Diamondbacks would face the Brewers, while the Mets would play the Padres in the wild-card round.
As the postseason nears, tiebreakers become crucial in determining seeding. In case of ties, head-to-head records and intradivision performance will decide the top seeds in both leagues. Teams like the Yankees, Orioles, and Guardians are battling it out for the AL East crown, while the Braves, Mets, and Diamondbacks are vying for the final NL playoff spots.
With the playoff schedule set, fans can look forward to exciting matchups in October. From the wild-card series to the World Series, the MLB postseason promises thrilling baseball action. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the playoff race and see how your favorite teams fare as they chase the championship title.