MLB playoffs 2024 tracker: Playoff bracket, clinching scenarios and postseason schedule ahead of Mets-Braves doubleheader

The MLB postseason is just around the corner. And with two games left in the regular season – a Mets-Braves doubleheader on Monday – the playoff picture is almost complete.

Let’s take a look at the standings of the MLB standings and the playoff round.

Which teams are participating in the play-offs?

The Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers clinched the NL West title, the No. 1 seed in the NL bracket and the best MLB record overall, meaning they have a bye through the entire postseason via the wild-card round and home field advantage.

The Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies captured the NL East title and the No. 2 seed in the NL bracket, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home field advantage in the NLDS.

The Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers were the first team to reach their division, winning the NL Central on September 18. They secured the No. 3 seed in the NL series and will host a wild-card series against the No. 6 seed.

The San Diego Padres: The Padres earned the top wildcard in the NL bracket. They will be the No. 4 seed and host a wild card series against the No. 5 seed.

The New York Yankees: The Yankees clinched the AL East title and the No. 1 seed in the AL series, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home field advantage through the AL playoffs.

The Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians captured the AL Central title and second place in the AL series, meaning they have a bye through the wild-card round and home field advantage in the ALDS.

The Houston Astros: The Astros took the AL West title and the No. 3 seed in the AL bracket. They will host a wild card series against the No. 6 seed Tigers.

The Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles earned the top wild card in the AL bracket. They will be the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card series against the No. 5 seed Royals.

The Kansas City Royals: The Royals earned a wild card into the AL bracket. They will be the No. 5 seed.

The Detroit Tigers: The Tigers earned a wild card entry into the AL bracket. They will be the sixth seed.

Subscribe Baseball Bar-B-Cast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Who still needs to clinch?

Three teams – the Mets, Braves and Diamondbacks – are vying for the final two wild-card spots in the National League. The Diamondbacks’ regular season is over.

After a postponement due to Hurricane Helene, the Mets and Braves will play a doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday to determine the NL wild-card bracket. They all need a win to clinch a wild card, and if they split the doubleheader, the D-backs will be eliminated. If either team gets swept on Monday, that team will be eliminated and the D-backs will make the playoffs.

What does the play-off round look like?

If the Mets and Braves were to split the doubleheader, Atlanta would be the No. 5 seed and New York would be the No. 6 seed, based on Atlanta winning the season series between the two. The Braves would then head to San Diego to take on the Padres, while the Mets would return to Milwaukee to play the Brewers.

If either the Mets or Braves win 2-0 on Monday, that club would head to San Diego as the No. 5 seed, while Arizona would play No. 6 seed Milwaukee in a rematch of last year’s wild-card round.

What are the tiebreaks?

Teams no longer play a Game 163 if they end the season tied. Instead, the tiebreaks are determined by head-to-head records first and, if necessary, intra-division records second.

These are the tiebreakers that are relevant on Monday:

• The Mets have reached the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.

• The Braves have reached the tiebreaker against the Diamondbacks.

• The Braves hold the tiebreaker against the Mets with two games remaining.

Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: What’s next for the White Sox, Cubs, Twins and more?

What is the schedule for the wild card and division series?

Wildcard series

Game 1: Tuesday, October 1
Game 2: Wednesday, October 2
Game 3: Thursday, October 3*

Division series

ALDS

Game 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Monday, October 7
Game 3: Wednesday, October 9
Game 4: Thursday, October 10*
Game 5: Saturday, October 12*

NLDS

Game 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Sunday, October 6
Game 3: Tuesday, October 8
Game 4: Wednesday, October 9*
Game 5: Friday, October 11*

(*if necessary)