MLB playoff picture, standings, postseason projections: AL West races heats up, crowded field in NL wild card

The playoff field for the 2023 Major League Baseball season is taking shape, though there's a bunch of jockeying still to be done in the coming weeks. As things stand, said jockeying won't be taking place atop the NL East or NL West. Those divisions aren't clinched just yet, but playing out the schedule is a mere formality, as the Braves and Dodgers, respectively, have essentially taken care of business in those divisions. The AL Central is far from over and the Twins cannot be trusted to handle their business, but they do have a big lead.

That leaves three divisions that look to be great races down the stretch. The Orioles hold a lead in the AL East, but the Rays are within striking distance. The Brewers have a lead over the Cubs and the Reds are also in range in the NL Central. And in the AL West, the surprising Rangers are barely clinging to a lead over the defending champion Astros and the surging Mariners.

The wild-card races are loaded, too, especially on the NL side. In the AL, the Rays are, for the time being, comfortably in, but then it's the Astros, Blue Jays and Mariners fighting for the last two spots while the Red Sox are in the mix. Over in the aforementioned NL race, the Phillies are on top, but it's not a giant margin. The Giants, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Reds and Marlins are fighting for the last two spots, and the Padres are trying to hang around and make a push.

Here's a look at the MLB standings and playoff picture for the 12-team postseason as of this morning. All division and postseason odds are and you can .

2023 MLB playoff picture

American League

Byes

• No. 1 Orioles and No. 2 Rangers

Wild Card Series

• No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Mariners
• No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Astros

National League

Byes

• No. 1 Braves and No. 2 Dodgers

Wild Card Series

• No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Diamondbacks
• No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Cubs