MLB 2026 Playoff Update (9/17/2026)

There's just a week and a half to go before the season concludes, most teams will have just 3 more series and approximately 10 games left that can either make or break their season before heading into an extremely uncertain offseason.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers both clinched playoff spots since the last update on the 14th, with the Dodgers claiming yet another NL West title. The Milwaukee Brewers also clinched the NL Central over Chicago.

All of that means we know 4 of the 12 playoff participants, Tampa Bay, New York, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles.

There is still plenty left to fight for and this update will give us some clarity as we hit the penultimate weekend of the season.

X- : Clinched Playoff Spot

Y- : Clinched Division

Z- : Clinched Best Record in League

*- : Clinched Best Overall Record

AL EAST

1. X- Tampa Bay (93-59) -- GB

2. X- New York (88-64) 5 GB

Tampa Bay's current six game winning streak has kept the Yankees at bay and should be enough to get the job done and give the Rays their first AL East title since a 100-62 campaign in 2021. That team, the then defending AL Champions, were upset by Boston in the ALDS that year.

It is worth noting though that the Yankees and Rays do play a four game series at Yankee Stadium starting on Tuesday. The Yankees realistically need to sweep that series and still out perform the Rays outside of that series now. It appears the Yankees will once again be hosting Boston in the American League Wild Card Series for the second year in a row.

AL CENTRAL

1. Cleveland (78-75) -- GB

2. Chicago (77-75) 0.5 GB

And Chicago's September collapse has continued, losing two of three to Cleveland. This has briefly sent the White Sox half a game back of the Guardians.

The odds should still suggest that Chicago can win the AL Central, their schedule (Detroit, Kansas City, Colorado) is slightly more favorable than Cleveland (Athletics, Boston, Kansas City) along with still owing the tiebreaker thanks to a 7-6 season series victory.

The loser of this battle is still left with a shot at the final wild card, but winning the division and getting the bye to the ALDS that comes along with it is the much preferred path.

AL WEST

1. Houston (76-76) -- GB

2. Texas (76-76) -- GB

Houston has continued to play poor baseball as a brief four game winning streak by Texas has once again lead to a tie in the worst division in baseball.

The AL West almost produced a sub .500 champion back in 1994, when Texas was 10 games under before the lockout ultimately cancelled the remainder of that season. This division pennant chase will be coming down to the wire, with the winner getting to host a wild card series and the loser going home early.

AL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. X-Tampa Bay (93-59) 14 GA

2. Cleveland (78-75) -- GB

3. Houston (76-76) 1.5 GB

For the first time, a division lead has changed this month. Cleveland now is in the second bye position thanks to the series victory over Chicago. The AL West continues to sink, making it all of the more likely that whoever can eek out the AL Central crown, will still have a nice path to the ALCS.

AL WILD CARD

WC1. X- New York (88-64) 11 GA

WC2. Boston (82-70) 5 GA

WC3. Chicago (77-75) -- GB

Texas (76-76) 1 GB

Toronto (76-77) 1.5 GB

Baltimore (75-78) 2.5 GB

With the final wild changing from Cleveland to Chicago, everyone gets slightly closer to that final spot. Baltimore has won 3 and a row and is back in it, albeit on the edge of true contention. Texas' best bet for a playoff spot still resides in the AL West title. Toronto hasn't been able to get above .500 and time is quickly running out for the 2025 American League Champions.

NL EAST

1. Atlanta (89-64) -- GB

2. Philadelphia (84-68) 4.5 GB

Neither team has been playing well recently, or at least as well as you need to be the last team standing in a little over one month's time. It's also looking increasingly likely Atlanta will be in the wild card round.

NL CENTRAL

1. Y- Milwaukee (95-58) -- GB

Milwaukee has clinched a fourth consecutive NL Central title. The small budget Brewers have been incredible, and a 5-4 record down the stretch will mean the first 100 win season in franchise history.

NL WEST

1. Y- Los Angeles (93-60) -- GB

Five straight division titles and 13 out of the last 14. That one NL West title they didn't win? It took a special 108 win San Francisco Giants team to beat the 107 win Dodgers back in 2021. This is truly one of the most dominate runs in modern baseball.

NL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. Y- Milwaukee (95-58) 2 GA

2. Y- Los Angeles (93-60) -- GA

3. Atlanta (89-64) 4 GB

Atlanta's stumbled enough to where any hope of a bye to the NLDS is pretty much gone. Without owning the tiebreaker over the Dodgers, Atlanta will get to host a best-of-three series at Truist Park against the final wild card. That means either facing Pete Crow-Armstrong and the elite Chicago Cubs offense. The terrifying three headed rotation of Jesus Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez, and Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies. Or it means facing the awakening offense and elite closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres. Oh and if you survive that, then you play Los Angeles. The #3 seed in the NL is no reward this year.

NL WILD CARD

WC1. Chicago (85-68) 1 GA

WC2. Philadelphia (84-68) 0.5 GA

WC3. San Diego (84-69) -- GB

Arizona (80-73) 4 GB

Arizona losing twice to Miami, along with another two San Diego victories, has left the Diamondbacks playoff hopes on life support. Arizona would have the fourth best record in the American League and would be leading two of its' divisions. Instead, it's going to be another playoff-less season for the 2023 National League Champions.

CURRENT PLAYOFF PICTURE AS OF 9/14/2026

American League

1 Tampa Bay

2 Cleveland

6 Chicago @ 3 Houston, winner plays 2 Cleveland in ALDS.

5 Boston @ 4 New York, winner plays 1 Tampa Bay in ALDS.

National League

1 Milwaukee

2 Los Angeles

6 San Diego @ 3 Atlanta, winner plays 2 Los Angeles in NLDS.

5 Philadelphia @ 4 Chicago, winner plays 1 Milwaukee in NLDS.