MLB 2026 Playoff Update (9/9/2026)

The second update of the 2026 MLB playoff push is here!

A little more than a week ago, I gave our initial standings as we turned the calendar to September. Now it's time to give an update to see who has gained ground and who has lost ground as we are now less than 3 weeks away from the season finale.

AL EAST

1. Tampa Bay (86-58) -- GB

2. New York (82-62) 4 GB

3. Boston (80-66) 7 GB

Both the Yankees and Red Sox gained a half game on Tampa Bay with identical 4-2 records since the 1st. Tampa went 4-3 and is doing what they need to do to secure the AL East and home field advantage through the ALCS.

New York and Boston are heading towards another playoff matchup. Last year, Boston took game 1 but failed to win either of the final 2 games and were eliminated at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees then played division champion Toronto and lost in 4 games in the ALDS.

Once again, it appears that one half of the AL bracket will be all AL East teams, and the wild card series will be at Yankee Stadium once again unless if Boston can gain 4 games on the Bronx Bombers, New York won the season series 7-6 over Boston.

AL CENTRAL

1. Chicago (75-69) -- GB

2. Cleveland (74-72) 2 GB

3. Minnesota (69-77) 7 GB

Cleveland did manage to gain a game on a struggling White Sox team, desperately trying to hold on to the division. Cleveland overcame a larger deficit last year to Detroit but hasn't quite been able to repeat the feat in 2026 so far. These two teams will play each other in Cleveland starting on Monday, so we will have a good idea of how the division will play out after that.

Minnesota actually lost a half game and is pretty much out of the playoff picture at this point.

AL WEST

1. Houston (74-71) -- GB

2. Texas (72-74) 2.5 GB

3. Seattle (68-78) 6.5 GB

This entire division still sucks. Houston is doing just enough to hold off a mediocre Rangers squad, but still hasn't done anything to suggest this is an Astros squad that can win the title like the 2017 and 2022 teams.

For Seattle, the most disappointing team in the AL this season, they will likely clinch a losing record this season sometime over the weekend or early next week. An absolute train wreck of a season is almost over.

AL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. Tampa Bay (86-58) 11 GA

2. Chicago (75-69) -- GB

3. Houston (74-71) 1.5 GB

In the race for the second bye to the ALDS, Chicago's lead over Houston has been trimmed by one game since the first of the month. Don't forget about the Guardians who are just half a game behind Houston who can easily still win the weak AL Central.

AL WILD CARD

WC1. New York (82-62) 9 GA

WC2. Boston (80-66) 6 GA

WC3. Cleveland (74-72) -- GB

Toronto (73-74) 1.5 GB

Texas (72-74) 2 GB

Baltimore (70-76) 4 GB

Minnesota (69-77) 5 GB

Seattle (68-78) 6 GB

Detroit (67-79) 7 GB

Baltimore getting swept by Boston has drastically hurt their chances at playing in the playoffs. Detroit, Seattle, Minnesota are all drifting towards elimination, with none of those teams making the movement needed to stay in the hunt realistically. This should be the final update that would include those three, unless a miracle happens.

The only team not named Cleveland to gain ground in the wild-card race? The Blue Jays. Who are now the first team out of the playoffs and are 1.5 games back of the Guardians.

NL EAST

1. Atlanta (85-60) -- GB

2. Philadelphia (81-64) 4 GB

The Phillies will be left wondering what if. A blown 4-1 lead on Saturday gave Atlanta a win that ultimately split the series between the two teams. If Philadelphia held on to win that game, the Braves lead would be just two games.

Instead, the two teams have not gained or lost any ground on each other and Atlanta has clinched the season series, meaning Philadelphia must beat Atlanta outright to claim their third consecutive NL East title.

NL CENTRAL

1. Milwaukee (90-56) -- GB

This division is pretty much over. Two blown Chicago leads in the four game series against Milwaukee sealed the Cubs' fate and killed any shot at a miracle comeback. The Brewers can now focus on clinching the best record in baseball for the second year in a row, but more on that later.

NL WEST

1. Los Angeles (88-57)

The Dodgers have found the momentum needed to avoid playing in the wild card round yet again. The division is theirs, it's just a matter of time before it becomes official.

NL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. Milwaukee (90-56) 1.5 GA

2. Los Angeles (88-57) -- GA

3. Atlanta (85-60) 3 GB

The Dodgers have been the best of these three teams as we work through September. A three game gap to the Brewers has been cut in half as Milwaukee has slightly wobbled and is barely hanging on to a 100 win pace, which would be the first 100 win season in franchise history.

Atlanta has stumbled behind the two 2025 NLCS participants and has some work to do to try and catch back up, or else a date in the wild card around against one of the Diamondbacks or Padres awaits.

NL WILD CARD

WC1. Philadelphia (81-64) 3.5 GA

WC2. Chicago (81-65) 3 GA

WC3. Arizona (78-68) -- GB

San Diego (78-68) -- GB

Arizona and San Diego both gained ground on the Cubs and Phillies as they continue to battle for that sixth and final seed in the NL Bracket. Philadelphia has pulled ahead of Chicago for the time being while Arizona currently owns the tiebreaker over San Diego.

Miami has fallen below .500 and behind Pittsburgh, but with how these four teams are doing, neither the Marlins nor the Pirates can realistically expect to catch them and steal a wild card spot. But if they do get any closer, I will include them on the next update.

CURRENT PLAYOFF PICTURE AS OF 9/9/2026

American League

1 Tampa Bay

2 Chicago

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

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

National League

1 Milwaukee

2 Los Angeles

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

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