2023 MLB Playoff Picture: Four Teams Clinch, Wild-Card Races Heating Up
The 2023 Major League Baseball playoffs are just two weeks away, and while some teams have secured their postseason berths, there is still a lot to be determined in MLB’s playoff picture.
On Sunday, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays joined the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers as the first four teams to clinch playoff spots. The Orioles secured a playoff berth earlier this season, while the Rays have a strong lead for the AL’s No. 4 seed and could potentially host a Wild Card Series. Meanwhile, the Twins and Brewers are closing in on division titles in the AL and NL Central, respectively.
The wild-card races in both leagues are expected to be tightly contested. In the American League, three teams – the Astros, Rangers, and Mariners – are fighting for two wild-card spots. The Blue Jays are also in the mix, jostling with the other AL West clubs for the final two spots.
In the National League, the Diamondbacks and Marlins made significant strides in the standings with weekend sweeps. The Phillies are currently holding onto the No. 4 seed, but their position is not guaranteed. The Cubs, Reds, and Giants are also in the mix for wild-card spots.
The 2023 MLB playoff picture is also notable for the absence of several expected contenders. The Yankees, Mets, Padres, and Cardinals – all playoff teams in 2022 – have had disappointing seasons and will not be part of this year’s postseason. The Angels’ playoff hopes were crushed in a dismal August, leading them to shut down Shohei Ohtani for the remainder of the season.
MLB now follows a 12-team playoff format, with the three division winners and three wild-card teams from each league qualifying for the postseason. The two division winners with the best records receive byes to the League Division Series, while the other eight teams compete in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
As the regular season winds down, tiebreakers could come into play to determine playoff spots and seeding. Head-to-head record is the top tiebreaker used by MLB among teams that finish with the same record.
Here’s a look at some important tiebreakers in play:
– In the AL East, the Orioles own the tiebreaker over the Rays.
– In the AL West, the Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers, while the Mariners own the tiebreaker over the Astros. The Rangers, on the other hand, own the tiebreaker over the Mariners.
– In the AL wild-card race, the Rangers own the tiebreaker over both the Mariners and the Blue Jays, while the Mariners own the tiebreaker over the Blue Jays.
– In the NL wild-card race, the Phillies own the tiebreaker over the Reds, Cubs, and Diamondbacks. The Marlins own the tiebreaker over the Phillies, Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Reds. The Giants own the tiebreaker over the Phillies, Marlins, Reds, and Diamondbacks. The Cubs own the tiebreaker over the Giants, while the Diamondbacks own the tiebreaker over the Cubs. Lastly, the Reds own the tiebreaker over the Cubs and Diamondbacks.
Here’s a look at the current MLB standings and playoff picture for the 12-team postseason:
American League:
– Division winners: Orioles and Astros
– Wild Card Series: Twins vs. Rangers, and Rays vs. Blue Jays
National League:
– Division winners: Braves and Dodgers
– Wild Card Series: Brewers vs. Cubs, and Phillies vs. Diamondbacks
The playoff matchups and seeding are subject to change as the regular season concludes.
The 2023 MLB playoff race is heating up, and fans can expect thrilling matchups as teams fight for their spots in the postseason. Stay tuned for more updates on the playoff picture.