Who is in and who is out? The MLB playoff picture right now

October is closing in fast, and with it comes the tension, excitement, and heartbreak that define playoff baseball. As the 2024 MLB season nears its end, teams are jockeying for position, while others are left to contemplate what went wrong. The final regular-season Games on September 29 will decide which squads advance and which ones get an early start on their offseason plans. Right now, we’ve got some clarity, but a whole lot of drama is still playing out.

Who’s In?

Let’s start with the sure things. As of September 18, just two teams have officially punched their ticket to the 2024 postseason.

In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have already sewn up the NL Central title. They’ve been a consistent force this year, thanks to a deep pitching rotation led by Corbin Burnes and the clutch bat of Christian Yelich. After securing their spot, Milwaukee has the luxury of tuning up for October without much pressure, but they’ll want to maintain momentum.

Over in the American League, the New York Yankees are the first team to secure a playoff berth. With Aaron Judge leading the charge and Gerrit Cole dominating on the mound, they’ve turned what could’ve been a tight race into a smooth cruise to the postseason. Their challenge now will be to finish strong and set themselves up for a deep run.

But beyond these two, it’s still anyone’s guess for most other teams.

Who’s Still in the Hunt?

That leaves 10 postseason slots still available, and a chaotic mix of 20 teams fighting to claim them. The races in both leagues are shaping up to go right down to the wire. Divisional and Wild Card spots are up for grabs, and one good - or bad - series could flip everything on its head.

Teams like the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers are all circling the playoff picture in the National League. Over in the AL, the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins are battling it out, each trying to separate themselves from the pack.

Every win matters, and with just over a week to go, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Who’s Out?

On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got teams who are already staring at the “what could have been” stage of their season. Eight teams have been officially eliminated from playoff contention so far.

In the American League, it’s the end of the line for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Oakland A’s. The Angels, in particular, are dealing with yet another disappointing season, despite the efforts of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Injuries and underperformance were the nails in their coffin this year.

Over in the National League, it’s game over for the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals. Cincinnati’s young roster showed flashes of promise, but it just wasn’t enough in the end.

Looking Ahead: The Postseason Schedule

October 1 marks the beginning of the Wild Card Series, where teams will face off in a best-of-three matchup. These games are always electric, as teams put everything on the line for a chance to advance. Following that, the Division Series kicks off on October 5 and will run through October 12, setting up the League Championship Series from October 13-22.

The World Series, the crown jewel of baseball, begins October 25 and could stretch into early November if it goes the distance. It’s a long, grueling road to get there, and only the best will survive the gauntlet.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there’s still plenty of baseball left to play. As we count down to the playoffs, every pitch, every at-bat, and every managerial decision will be magnified. It’s win or go home, and for some teams, these next few days will define their season.

So, who will rise and who will fall? Time’s running out, and soon, we’ll know which teams get to dance in October and which ones will watch from the sidelines.