MLB Playoff Picture 2024: Yankees to win postseason; updated schedule, standings | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

The outlook for the MLB playoffs is becoming clearer as the New York Yankees return to the field after Wednesday’s win over the Seattle Mariners.

New York is the second team to secure a spot in the postseason, along with the Milwaukee Brewers (who won the National League Central on Wednesday). The Bronx Bombers have been locked in a battle with the Baltimore Orioles all season for the top spot in the AL East. Those two teams, along with the Cleveland Guardians, are still fighting for the best overall record in the AL.

Below you will find the updated play-off standings and potential fixtures up to and including Wednesday’s games.

Expected American League Playoff Games

• First Round Bye: No. 1 New York Yankees, No. 2 Cleveland Guardians
• Wild Card Series: No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Minnesota Twins, No. 4Baltimore Orioles vs. No. 5 Kansas City Royals

Expected National League Playoff Games

• First Round Bye: No. 1 Philadelphia Phillies, No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Wild Card Series: No. 3Milwaukee Brewers vs. No. 6 New York Mets, No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Arizona Diamondbacks

After a quiet period midway through the season, the Yankees appear to have found positive momentum at the right time.

1. New York Yankees (89-63)*
2. Baltimore Orioles (84-68, 5GB)
3. Boston Red Sox (76-76, 13 GB)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (74-78, 15 GB)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (72-80, 17GB)

1. Cleveland Guardians (88-65)
2. Kansas City Royals (82-71, 6GB)
3. Minnesota Twins (80-72, 7.5 GB)
4. Detroit Tigers (80-73, 8 GB)
5. Chicago White Sox (36-117, 52 GB)

1. Houston Astros (82-70)
2. Seattle Mariners (77-75, 5GB)
3. Texas Rangers (73-79, 9 GB)
4. Oakland Athletics (67-86, 15.5 GB)
5. Los Angeles Angels (62-90, 20 GB)

1. Baltimore Orioles (84-68, +4 games)
2. Kansas City Royals (82-71, +1.5 games)
3. Minnesota Twins (80-72)
4. Detroit Tigers (80-73, 0.5 GB)
5. Seattle Mariners (77-75, 3GB)
6. Boston Red Sox (76-76, 4 GB)
7. Tampa Bay Rays (74-78, 7 GB)

1. Philadelphia Phillies (91-61)
2. New York Mets (84-68, 7 GB)
3. Atlanta Braves (82-70, 9 GB)
4. Washington Nationals (68-84, 23 GB)
5. Miami Marlins (56-96, 35 GB)

1. Milwaukee Brewers (88-64)**
2. Chicago Cubs (77-75, 11 GB)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (77-75, 11 GB)
4. Cincinnati Reds, (74-79, 14.5 GB)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-81, 17GB)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (90-62)
2. San Diego Padres (87-66, 3.5 GB)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-68, 6GB)
4. San Francisco Giants (74-78, 16GB)
5. Colorado Rockies (59-94, 31.5GB)

1. San Diego Padres (87-66, +2.5 games)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (84-68)
3. New York Mets (84-68)
4. Atlanta Braves (82-70, 2 GB)
5. Chicago Cubs (77-75, 7 GB)
6. St. Louis Cardinals (77-75, 7 GB)

*Indicates that the play-off spot has been achieved

**Indicates a closed division

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are the best offensive duo in the AL, combining for 93 homers and 239 RBIs. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has provided some much-needed punch in the middle of the order with a .289/.344/.514 slash line in 37 games since being acquired from the Miami Marlins.

New York’s main rival in the AL could be the Kansas City Royals. Their offseason spending to add Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha has paid huge dividends. The Royals rotation leads all of MLB in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement (16.6) and ranks second in ERA (3.56).

If the Royals can avoid a bullpen implosion and Bobby Witt Jr. carries the lineup, they have the makings of a dangerous playoff team. The Orioles are the only AL contender whose offense can match New York’s, but that unit has struggled since the All-Star break.

Cleveland is a team that is hard to understand because they have the worst starting rotation in the AL, but they make up for it by having the best bullpen in the league.

The Yankees have struggled with their bullpen in the closing stages of games, but manager Aaron Boone has done a good job of being more creative with matchups rather than locking players into fixed roles.

Clay Holmes is going to be the biggest question mark with an MLB-high 13 blown saves. If his issues continue, Boone shouldn’t hesitate to find another option for the ninth inning.

Overall, it’s hard not to feel good about the Yankees’ chances of reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009. The lineup is great, especially up top, and they’ll give any pitching staff they see a tough time in a short series.