MLB playoff picture, standings, postseason projections: Braves clinch playoff spot, NL wild card tightens up
Less than three weeks remain in the 2023 Major League Baseball regular season, and the MLB playoff picture is coming into focus. The AL West and the NL wild card look like they will be the most intriguing races as September rolls on. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds are all separated by 1.5 games as they battle for the third and final NL wild-card spot.
The Astros have taken the lead in the AL West, and the Mariners are trying to stay close to the defending champs. The Texas Rangers, however, have fallen all the way out of playoff position after leading the division for most of the season. Also in the American League, the Orioles are trying to fend off the Rays in the AL East to win the division and lock up the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
There won't be drama in the NL East or NL West races, though, as the Braves and Dodgers are both set to clinch their respective divisions by the middle of the month. The Braves became the first team to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday with their 93rd win.
The 2023 MLB playoff picture is also notable for who is not in it. The Yankees, Mets, Padres and Cardinals -- all playoff teams in 2022 and expected contenders in 2023 -- have had disappointing years that will end with the regular season. The Angels saw their playoff hopes dashed in a dismal August. The Halos crashed out of the race while learning Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season with a torn UCL in his right elbow.
As a reminder, MLB now uses a 12-team playoff format with the three division winners and three wild card teams in both leagues qualifying for the postseason. The two division winners with the best records in each league get byes to the League Division Series round, while the other eight teams square off in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
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 Astros
Wild Card Series
- No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Blue Jays
- No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Mariners
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
