MLB 2026 Playoff Update (9/14/2026)

We are back with another MLB playoff picture update as teams are now beginning to officially clinch their spots in their quest to win the World Series.

Tampa Bay was the first to clinch a playoff spot with a 3-1 win over AL West leader Houston. Just a few hours later, Milwaukee obliterated Cincinnati 20-0 to clinch their spot.

Now with just two weeks left in the regular season, it's time for another snapshot of where everyone is standing.

X- : Clinched Playoff Spot

Y- : Clinched Division

Z- : Clinched Best Record in League

*- : Clinched Best Overall Record

AL EAST

1. X- Tampa Bay (90-59) -- GB

2. New York (86-63) 4 GB

The Yankees are keeping the Rays honest, with each team going 4-1 since the last update while Boston's 2-2 mark has pretty much ended any slim hopes at getting the AL East crown.

This will be Tampa Bay's first postseason appearance since 2023, at a time when their now superstar Junior Caminero was still coming off the bench.

The Yankees and Rays play a four game series at Yankee Stadium on September 22nd through the 24th, with a double header mixed kickstarting that series. The Rays lead the season series 6-3 so one win there will give them the tiebreaker. As of today, it looks like if the Yankees want to steal the division, a sweep of Tampa is a requirement.

AL CENTRAL

1. Chicago (76-73) -- GB

2. Cleveland (76-74) 0.5 GB

Chicago is in free fall mode, going 1-4 since our last update and 3-8 in September. Last year, Cleveland had to play amazing baseball to catch Detroit for an unprecedented comeback to claim the AL Central last year. This year, it's just simply playing okay enough to be there for another team's collapse.

These two teams play each other starting tonight in Cleveland. Chicago does lead the season series 6-4 so a single win gives them the tiebreaker and an inside track to the #2 seed and a bye. However, it feels as if a Cleveland sweep would come along with a division title for the Guardians.

AL WEST

1. Houston (75-75) -- GB

2. Texas (74-76) 1 GB

3. Seattle (70-80) 5 GB

Houston's gone 1-4 since the last update, which has kept the Rangers, and yes even the Mariners, still alive in a division that no one truly wants to win. With both the division, and even the #2 seed up for grabs, Houston is seemingly doing everything possible to throw it away. Seattle and Texas each went 2-2 so they gained 1.5 games on the Astros. Houston did win the season series over Texas 9-4, so they pretty much have a 2 game lead on the Rangers, but it'd be in their best interest to get the job done quickly to prevent an upset from occurring, or to simply avoid being a sub .500 division winner.

AL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. X-Tampa Bay (90-59) 14 GA

2. Chicago (76-73) -- GB

3. Houston (75-75) 1.5 GB

In the race for the second bye to the ALDS, both Chicago and Houston went 1-4 since the last update meaning this picture hasn't changed at all since the last update on the 9th. Tampa can not be caught by either team now, meaning the AL East champion will officially be the #1 seed.

AL WILD CARD

WC1. New York (86-63) 10.5 GA

WC2. Boston (82-68) 6 GA

WC3. Cleveland (76-74) -- GB

Toronto (75-75) 1 GB

Texas (74-76) 2 GB

Baltimore (72-78) 4 GB

Minnesota (70-79) 5.5 GB

Detroit (70-79) 5.5 GB

Out of everyone not named Boston and New York on this list, Detroit was the best team since the last update, going a perfect 3-0 and gaining 1.5 games on Cleveland, but it still feels too little too late for the Tigers.

Minnesota and Baltimore both matched Cleveland and is drifting towards elimination.

Texas is closer to catching Houston rather than Cleveland, meaning a sudden surge from the Rangers likely won't affect the Guardians.

Valdimir Guerrero Jr. finally hit a home run at the Rogers Center, his first of the season there, and has Toronto still firmly in the picture, just a single game behind Cleveland with the tiebreaker in hand. The reigning American League Champions might just sneak into the playoff field after all.

NL EAST

1. Atlanta (88-62) -- GB

2. Philadelphia (83-67) 5 GB

The Phillies bullpen once again let them down as Atlanta took another 2 of 3 from Philadelphia this weekend to give the Braves a de facto 6 game division lead. Barring a major collapse, Atlanta will end Philadelphia's 2 year reign atop the NL East and can begin focusing on the playoffs where they will likely slide in as the NL's #3 seed.

NL CENTRAL

1. X-Milwaukee (93-57) -- GB

The Brewers hold a 10 game lead over Chicago, meaning they will formally clinch the NL Central for the fourth consecutive year sometime this week. Milwaukee will do everything they can to clinch the home-field advantage for the entire playoffs in the coming weeks.

NL WEST

1. Los Angeles (90-59)

The Dodgers had a slight bobble this week and have slipped behind Milwaukee a little further. But even with San Diego on a 7 game winning streak, the gap to the Padres is still 9 games. Unless if the bottom of the barrel completely falls out, the 2-time defending World Series Champion Dodgers will be NL West Champions yet again sometime this week.

NL FIRST ROUND BYES

1. X-Milwaukee (93-57) 2.5 GA

2. Los Angeles (90-59) -- GA

3. Atlanta (88-62) 2.5 GB

Atlanta has done enough to stay close to Los Angeles, in case the Dodgers struggle with health enough down the stretch. All three of these teams will jockey for position. The NL is deep this year so don't be surprised if these teams focus on health over seeding to try and avoid an upset.

NL WILD CARD

WC1. Chicago (83-67) 1.5 GA

WC2. Philadelphia (83-67) 1.5 GA

WC3. San Diego (81-68) -- GB

Arizona (79-71) 2.5 GB

San Diego is on a blistering pace, winning 7 straight to give them the advantage over Arizona in the chase for the final wild-card, while Philadelphia and Chicago are both suddenly at risk of getting caught by the surging Padres.

The Padres however don't own either tiebreaker over the Cubs and Phillies, going 1-5 and 0-6 against the top two wild cards respectively.

The Diamondbacks haven't been playing terribly, but it's beginning to feel like once again, Arizona will be the first team out of the NL Playoffs, just like in 2024 when they were trying to defend their NL Pennant.

CURRENT PLAYOFF PICTURE AS OF 9/14/2026

American League

1 Tampa Bay

2 Chicago

6 Cleveland @ 3 Houston, winner plays 2 Chicago in ALDS.

5 Boston @ 4 New York, winner plays 1 Tampa Bay in ALDS.

National League

1 Milwaukee

2 Los Angeles

6 San Diego @ 3 Atlanta, winner plays 2 Los Angeles in NLDS.

5 Philadelphia @ 4 Chicago, winner plays 1 Milwaukee in NLDS.