MLB Playoff Races Coming Down the Stretch

As the 2023 MLB season reaches its final two weeks, the playoff picture is starting to take shape across both the American League and the National League. There is plenty of baseball left to play. Some teams are already locked in for the postseason, while others are facing uphill battles.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East Division:

1. Baltimore Orioles (93-56): The Orioles have been a pleasant surprise this season, leading the division. They’ll need a strong finish to secure their first division title in years.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (92-59): Expected to secure a wild card spot, they are still in the hunt for the division crown but have a more difficult road than the Orioles.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (83-67): The Blue Jays have shown promise and need to stay strong to secure a playoff spot.
4. New York Yankees (76-74): The Yankees are on the outside looking in, and their chances of making the playoffs are diminishing.
5. Boston Red Sox (74-76): The Red Sox have struggled and are fading in the playoff race. Their hopes for a postseason berth are dwindling.

Central Division:

1. Minnesota Twins (79-71): The Twins currently are well on their way to clinching the division title.
2. Cleveland Guardians (72-78): The Guardians’ hopes for a postseason berth are dwindling.
3. Detroit Tigers (70-79): The Tigers have shown improvement but hopes for a postseason berth are zero.
4. Chicago White Sox (57-93): The White Sox struggled this season and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
5. Kansas City Royals (48-102): The Royals are also out of the playoff race and are focusing on development.

West Division:

1. Houston Astros (84-66): The Astros lead the division. They’ll need to maintain their consistency to secure a division title or playoff spot.
2. Texas Rangers (82-67): The Rangers are in position to secure a wild card spot. They finish up against the Mariners in the final weekend which may be a do-or-die series.
3. Seattle Mariners (81-68): The Mariners are also in the wild card mix. They finish up against the Rangers in the final weekend which may be do-or-die for them.
4. Los Angeles Angels (68-82): The Angels struggled yet again and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
5. Oakland Athletics (46-103): The Athletics are out of the playoff race. They need to focus on rebuilding after back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East Division:

1. Atlanta Braves (96-53): The Braves clinched the division.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (81-68): The Phillies are in position to grab a wild card spot.
3. Miami Marlins (78-72): The Marlins are also in the wild-card mix and have shown promise. They’ll need to stay competitive to reach the playoffs.
4. New York Mets (69-80): The Mets struggled after a 101-win season and are in a rebuilding phase.
5. Washington Nationals (66-84): The Nationals have been eliminated from playoff contention. They bounced back rather nicely from a 107-loss season. Still rebuilding.

Central Division:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (84-65): The Brewers have all but clinched the division
2. Chicago Cubs (78-72): The Cubs are tied for the last wild card spot. They’ll need to work hard for a postseason berth as a tough road lies ahead.
3. Cincinnati Reds (78-73): The Reds are also in contention for a wild card spot but have work to do to secure it. Great turn-around from last year’s 100-loss season.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-80): The Pirates had a great season coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons.
5. St. Louis Cardinals (66-83): The Cardinals have been eliminated.

West Division:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (91-57): The Dodgers clinched the division title.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (79-72): The Diamondbacks are in contention for a wild card spot but face competition.
3. San Francisco Giants (76-74): The Giants are in the wild-card mix and need to stay competitive for a playoff berth.
4. San Diego Padres (72-78): The Padres need to step up their game but will be eliminated from playoff contention shortly.
5. Colorado Rockies (56-93): The Rockies have been eliminated from playoff contention and are focusing on the future.

Who will it be?

The final run for the 2023 MLB playoff race is heating up as teams jockey for postseason positions in the remaining games. The American League has five teams within striking range for the coveted playoff spots. The National League has six teams on that same path. Expect a lot of drama over the next two weeks, as none of the teams are safe from elimination.

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