Entering play on Friday, here’s where every contending team stands with 10 days remaining in the regular season.
Who’s in?
Tickets already punched:
Milwaukee Brewers,
Philadelphia Phillies,
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs joined the Brewers and Phillies among the teams that have clinched a postseason berth two days ago. It is the Cubs’ first trip to the postseason since 2020.
Who’s next?
On the brink of clinching a playoff spot:
Toronto Blue Jays,
Detroit Tigers,
New York Yankees,
Los Angeles Dodgers,
San Diego Padres
The Blue Jays’ magic number for a playoff berth is two, and Toronto’s magic number to win the AL East is six. Meanwhile, the Dodgers lowered their magic number for a playoff spot to one after a 2-1 win over the Giants.
Who’s clinging to life?
It’s gonna be interesting:
New York Mets,
San Francisco Giants,
Arizona Diamondbacks,
Cincinnati Reds,
Cleveland Guardians
After a dominating show in Detroit, Cleveland has its eyes on the AL Central. The Guardians are now just 3 1/2 games behind the Tigers, and 1 1/2 games back from locking up a playoff spot.
A 6-1 win over the Padres on Thursday helped the Mets gain some more ground in the NL wild-card race. The team now sits two games ahead of the Reds and the Diamondbacks, who will begin a three-game set against the No. 2 seed Philadelphia before facing the Dodgers in consecutive series at home.
If the playoffs started todayAmerican League
Toronto and Detroit would receive first-round byes after finishing as the AL’s No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Toronto would also have home-field advantage through the ALCS for finishing with the league’s best record.
AL Wild Card Series: No. 6 Red Sox at No. 3 Mariners; No. 5 Astros at No. 4 Yankees.
ALDS: Red Sox/Mariners vs. Tigers; Yankees/Astros vs. Blue Jays
National League
The Brewers and Phillies would enter as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, both receiving first-round byes. Should the Brewers make it to the World Series, they’d maintain home-field advantage due to ending with the sport’s best record.
NL Wild Card Series: No. 6 Mets at No. 3 Dodgers; No. 5 Padres at No. 4 Cubs.
NLDS: Dodgers/Mets vs. Phillies, Cubs/Padres vs. Brewers
What to watch Friday
Giants at Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw will make the final regular-season home start of his decorated career in a game that could clinch the Dodgers a postseason berth with a win.
Mariners at Astros: After beating the Royals on Thursday, the Mariners are now tied with the Astros for the top of the American League West. The team now heads to Houston for a pivotal three-game series with a playoff tiebreaker on the line.
Guardians at Twins: Fresh off a sweep of the No. 2-seeded Tigers, the Guardians will look to capitalize on their momentum in the first of three games against fourth-place Minnesota.
(Photo of Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw celebrating Thursday’s win: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)