MLB playoff picture, standings, postseason odds: Yankees gain ground in wild card race

The 2021 Major League Baseball season is in its final month, and baseball’s playoff picture is starting to take shape. We officially have our first four postseason teams, as the White Sox on Thursday joined the Giants, Dodgers, Brewers, and Rays. The Astros will likely be the next to join them.

The AL wild card is now the best race. The Red Sox are in the top spot, a game clear of the Yankees, who are in turn two games ahead of the Blue Jays and Mariners in the race for the second and final AL wild card spot. Fittingly, the Yankees and Red Sox began a key three-game series at Fenway on Friday. 

So how will all this shake out? We’ll find out the answers before the postseason gets started Oct. 5. But it’s also worth asking, what would the MLB playoff picture look like if the season ended today? We have the answer to that question, as well as up-to-date standings and playoff odds, below.

If the season ended today

• AL Wild Card Game: Red Sox vs. Yankees
  
  
• NL Wild Card Game: Dodgers vs. Cardinals
• ALDS: Astros vs. White Sox
• ALDS: Rays vs. AL Wild Card Game winner
• NLDS: Brewers vs. Braves
• NLDS: Giants vs. NL Wild Card Game winner

Teams who clinched

• Giants (clinched playoff spot)
• Dodgers (clinched playoff spot)
• Brewers (clinched playoff spot)
• Rays (clinched playoff spot)
• White Sox (clinched AL Central)

MLB standings, playoff races

Here’s a look at the current standings. Division and postseason projections are via SportsLine. For expanded standings, click here.

American League standings

National League standings

MLB division odds

All odds via Caesars Sportsbook. Last updated Sept. 24.

NL East

Braves: -430

Phillies: +400

NL West

Giants: -130

Dodgers: +110

2021 MLB postseason gear now available