The 2023 Major League Baseball playoffs will start next week. Before then, teams that haven’t locked up a firm seed in the playoffs will face crunch time. Here’s a breakdown of the Major League Baseball standings heading into Friday, September 29th, 2023. Almost everything is settled, however, there are still some important regular-season games to be played.
AL East Standings: Baltimore Orioles Clinched the Title
This season will be remembered for what the Tampa Bay Rays lost. The Rays started the regular season with numerous wins and they were favored to win the AL East. However, Baltimore took over the division lead during the summer. It proved to be a lead to which they would not relinquish.
It took until the late days of the season for Baltimore to clinch the AL East title. However, the pennant race in the division is now over. Baltimore clinched on Thursday night, rendering the remaining games within the division meaningless when it comes to divisional standings. The Orioles will also be the No. 1 seed in the American League playoffs.
AL Central Standings: Minnesota Twins (AL No. 3)
The Minnesota Twins will win the AL Central. They have clinched for several days now. Minnesota can do no better than the No. 3 seed in the American League. That means they will not get a first-round bye.
AL West Standings: Texas Rangers Very Likely to Win
Heading into Friday, September 29th, 2023, the Texas Rangers have a magic number of two. That means any combination of them winning or the Houston Astros losing will clinch the divisional title for the Rangers. Texas has three games remaining and so does Houston. If two of those six events go the Rangers’ way, then they will be the No. 2 seed in the American League and the AL West’s division winner.
Texas is on the road at Seattle all weekend. The Astros are on the road at Arizona. This weekend of baseball could be very interesting.
Major League Baseball Standings: AL Wild Card
The Tampa Bay Rays will be the No. 1 Wild Card team in the American League. This is a certainty. The two other spots are up for grabs. Three teams are in the mix: the Toronto Blue Jays and then the teams in the AL West that finish 2nd and 3rd. Two of these three teams will advance to the playoffs.
Toronto hosts Tampa Bay all weekend. It’s not a bad time to play the Rays as they will be looking to set their rotation up for the playoffs. This could be a first-round preview in the playoffs as well. Toronto also has an edge in the standings.
If the American League Playoffs Started Today
AL6 vs AL3: Houston (can change) vs Minnesota (seed fixed)
AL5 vs AL4: Toronto (can change) vs Tampa Bay (seed fixed)
AL2: Texas (can change)
AL1: Baltimore (seed fixed)
NL East Standings: Atlanta Braves Have Clinched
The Atlanta Braves wrapped up the NL East a long time ago. They will be the No. 1 seed in the NL playoffs.
NL Central Standings: Milwaukee Brewers Clinched This Week
The Milwaukee Brewers clinched the NL Central earlier this week. There is no scenario where they are anything except the NL No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
NL West Standings: LA Dodgers Clinched
The LA Dodgers have won the NL West. They will be the No. 2 team in the NL playoffs regardless of how things go this weekend in any game.
NL Wild Card Race: Philadelphia is in for sure
The Philadelphia Phillies will be in the playoffs. They will be the NL No. 4 seed. After that, there are still a lot of scenarios.
There are two Wild Card spots up for grabs and five teams competing for them. Arizona has a huge edge in the standings for the second Wild Card. San Diego is all but eliminated from contention. The last spot features a close race between Miami, Chicago, and Cincinnati.
Basically, between Arizona, Miami, Chicago, Cincinnati, and San Diego, two teams will make the playoffs after this weekend. Arizona is probable to make it while San Diego is very doubtful to make it.
Major League Baseball Standings – If the NL Playoffs Started Today
NL6 vs NL3: Miami vs Milwaukee (seed fixed)
NL5 vs NL4: Arizona vs Philadelphia (seed fixed)
NL2: LA (seed fixed)
NL1: Atlanta (seed fixed)
Source: MLB
Further reading: WTA Tokyo Tennis Betting Tips
