Dodgers Clinch NL West as MLB Playoff Field Takes Shape — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- The Dodgers clinched the NL West on Thursday, joining the Brewers as division winners, while the Rays and Yankees have also secured postseason berths.
- The Braves could clinch their playoff spot this week, with the Cubs, Phillies, and Red Sox each holding at least a 99% probability of reaching October.
- The Rays and Yankees are battling for the AL East crown, while the White Sox and Guardians are locked in a tight race for the AL Central title and the Astros and Rangers muddle the AL West and wild-card picture.
- The Padres and Diamondbacks are competing for the remaining NL wild-card spot, as the Cubs and Phillies have separated themselves in the other wild-card slot behind the Brewers and Dodgers.
- The wild-card round matchups are set: in the AL, (6) Guardians visit (3) Astros and (5) Red Sox visit (4) Yankees; in the NL, (6) Padres visit (3) Braves and (5) Phillies visit (4) Cubs.
- The postseason schedule begins with the best-of-three wild-card round on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and culminates with a potential World Series Game 7 on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Why it matters: With four teams already in and the Braves, Cubs, Phillies, and Red Sox all at 99% or better, the postseason field is nearly set — meaning the remaining drama is concentrated in the AL East, AL Central, AL West, and the NL's final wild-card slot between the Padres and Diamondbacks. For fans, that means the next week delivers high-stakes pennant-race baseball before the best-of-three wild-card round starts Sept. 29.
Ask SkimNews
