2024 MLB playoff tracker Schedule bracket clinching scenarios

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As the final month of the 2024 MLB regular season plays out, a few teams are already looking to October. 

The NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers clinched the season's first playoff spot while the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies have also opened up comfortable leads in the National League races. In the American League, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians have clinched playoff spots, while the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros all seem like locks for October.

Beyond division races, there are many storylines to watch as the regular season comes to an end.

Where do the current playoff matchups stand? What games should you be paying attention to today? Who will be the first team to clinch a postseason berth? And what does the playoff schedule look like? We have everything you need to know as the regular season hits the homestretch.

Key links: Full MLB standings | Wild-card standings | Predictions

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers clinched the season's first playoff spot, when they secured the NL Central crown for the third time in four seasons. 

New York Yankees

The Yankees clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night with a win against the Seattle Mariners and hold a comfortable lead in the AL East race.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday and are in control of the AL Central race.

The Phillies' magic number for a playoff spot is one and four to clinch the NL East. The Dodgers' magic number is two to clinch a playoff spot and seven to win the NL West.

American League

Wild-card round: (6) Twins at (3) Astros, (5) Royals at (4) Orioles

ALDS: Twins/Astros vs. (2) Guardians*, Royals/Orioles vs. (1) Yankees*

National League

Wild-card round: (6) D-backs at (3) Brewers*, (5) Mets at (4) Padres

NLDS: D-backs/Brewers vs. (2) Dodgers, Mets/Padres vs. (1) Phillies

* -- Clinched playoff spot

Tiebreakers

If L.A. and Philadelphia tie for best record, the Phillies would get the top seed because of a better head-to-head record against the Dodgers this season.

Head-to-head season series would determine No. 1 AL seed if Cleveland finishes season tied with the AL East champ for league's best record: Guardians over Orioles; Yankees over Guardians.

If Yankees, Orioles and Guardians all finish with the same record, Baltimore would get the AL's top seed by virtue of intradivision record among the three teams.

If Baltimore and New York finish in a two-team tie, the Orioles currently hold the AL East tiebreaker because they lead the Yankees, 6-4, in the head-to-head season series (with three games remaining).

If Atlanta and New York tie, the Mets currently hold the final NL playoff spot by virtue of a better intradivision record since the teams are tied at 5-5 in the head-to-head season series (with three games remaining).

The Yankees have taken the lead on the Orioles in a battle for the AL East crown. After spending much of the season comfortably ahead in the AL Central, the Guardians are trying to outlast the Royals and Twins for the division crown while the Astros have separated themselves from the Mariners in the AL West race. The Detroit Tigers have also surged into contention for the league's final playoff spot. 

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Four teams have separated themselves atop the NL standings with the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks battling for the final playoff spots. The Brewers have clinched the NL Central crown and the Phillies are also seemingly cruising to a division title in the NL East. The Dodgers have opened up a lead in the NL West race, with the Padres also very likely to join L.A. in the postseason field.

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Looking for something to watch today? Here's the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:

Wild-card series Best of three, all games at better seed's stadium

Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1 Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2 Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3* 

Division series Best of five

ALDS Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5 Game 2: Monday, Oct. 7 Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 9 Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 10* Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 12*

NLDS Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5 Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 6 Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 8 Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 9* Game 5: Friday, Oct. 11*

League championship series Best of seven

ALCS Game 1: Monday, Oct. 14 Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 15 Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 17 Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18 Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 19* Game 6: Monday, Oct. 21* Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 22*

NLCS Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 13 Game 2: Monday, Oct. 14 Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16 Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 17 Game 5: Friday, Oct. 18* Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 20* Game 7: Monday, Oct. 21*

World Series Best of seven

Note: If both LCS end by Oct. 19 -- meaning neither series lasts longer than five games -- the World Series will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22

* If necessary