Players celebrating on the field during the MLB playoffs, sharing high-fives after a key victory. ©Ideogram
As the 2024 Major League Baseball season enters its final week, the race for playoff spots is reaching a fever pitch. Teams in both the American and National Leagues are locked in intense battles, with just a handful of games separating contenders in the wild-card races. With the postseason beginning on October 1, every pitch and play could determine who makes the cut.
National League Wild-Card Race: Tight Battles
In the National League, the San Diego Padres hold a 2.5-game lead for the first wild-card spot, but the real drama lies in the fight for the second and third berths. The New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are currently tied at 83-68, with the Mets holding the crucial tiebreaker over Arizona. The Atlanta Braves are just 2 games behind, looking to mount a last-minute surge.
Mets infielder José Iglesias summed up the high stakes, saying, “We’re definitely competing to clinch, and it’s going to come down to one play, one pitch. And that’s what the playoffs are about.”
The Chicago Cubs, at 77-74, are 5 games behind, still hoping for a miracle but rapidly running out of time.
NL Wild-Card Standings
- San Diego Padres: 86-66 (+2.5 games)
- New York Mets: 83-68 (tiebreaker over AZ)
- Arizona Diamondbacks: 83-68
- Atlanta Braves: 81-70 (2 GB)
- Chicago Cubs: 77-74 (5 GB)
American League Wild-Card Race: Orioles Lead, Royals and Twins Chase
Over in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles have a comfortable 4-game cushion for a wild-card spot with an 84-67 record. However, the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins remain in contention. The Royals are 1.5 games ahead of the Twins, but with Detroit and Seattle looming just behind, it’s still anyone’s race.
AL Wild-Card Standings
- Baltimore Orioles: 84-67 (+4 games)
- Kansas City Royals: 82-70 (+1.5 games)
- Minnesota Twins: 80-71
- Detroit Tigers: 79-73 (1.5 GB)
- Seattle Mariners: 77-74 (3 GB)
Division Races: Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers Lead Their Divisions
Across MLB, division leaders are beginning to solidify their standings as we approach the final games. In the American League East, the New York Yankees lead the division with an 88-63 record, 4 games ahead of the Orioles. The Cleveland Guardians are on top in the AL Central with a 5-game advantage over Kansas City, while the Houston Astros cling to a 5-game lead in the AL West over Seattle.
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies hold a commanding 8-game lead in the East, while the Milwaukee Brewers sit atop the NL Central, 10 games ahead of the Cubs. In the West, the Los Angeles Dodgers are fending off the Padres, who trail by 3.5 games.
AL East Standings
- New York Yankees: 88-63
- Baltimore Orioles: 84-67 (4 GB)
AL Central Standings
- Cleveland Guardians: 87-65
- Kansas City Royals: 82-70 (5 GB)
AL West Standings
- Houston Astros: 82-69
- Seattle Mariners: 77-74 (5 GB)
NL East Standings
- Philadelphia Phillies: 91-60
- New York Mets: 83-68 (8 GB)
NL Central Standings
- Milwaukee Brewers: 87-64
- Chicago Cubs: 77-74 (10 GB)
NL West Standings
- Los Angeles Dodgers: 89-62
- San Diego Padres: 86-66 (3.5 GB)
What’s Next?
With just days left in the regular season, every game matters more than ever. The wild-card teams must bring their A-game to secure those coveted postseason spots. The race is on, and October baseball is just around the corner!
Stay tuned as the final stretch of the season unfolds, and get ready for an electrifying playoff race.
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