Postseason Watch: Bracket, tiebreakers and extra

Sunday featured loads of motion across the Major Leagues — and its primary impact was to create a logjam within the National League Wild Card race.

At the tip of the weekend, the Giants, Marlins (who swept the Nationals in a four-game set) and D-backs all wound up tied for the third and closing NL Wild Card spot with similar 70-67 data. Right behind them — zero video games again, technically, however with a fractionally decrease successful proportion — are the Reds (71-68). And do not depend out the Padres, who took three of 4 from San Francisco to remain inside hanging distance.

Reminder: As a part of the collective bargaining settlement made with the Players Association earlier than the 2022 season, Major League Baseball expanded the postseason subject from 10 to 12 groups. Both the AL and NL now have three Wild Card berths (up from two previous to 2022), with the highest two seeds in every league receiving first-round byes. The different groups will pair up for the best-of-three Wild Card Series, by which all three video games can be performed on the house of the upper seed, with winners advancing to the Division Series.

AL Wild Card Series (begins Oct. 3)
Best-of-three format (all video games at larger seed)
Astros (6) at Twins (3)
Rangers (5) at Rays (4)

Orioles (1) and Mariners (2) have byes

NL Wild Card Series (Oct. 3)
Best-of-three format (all video games at larger seed)
Giants (6) at Brewers (3)
Cubs (5) at Phillies (4)

Braves (1) and Dodgers (2) have byes

AL Division Series (begins Oct. 7)
Best-of-five format
Rays/Rangers at Orioles
Twins/Astros at Mariners

NL Division Series (begins Oct. 7)
Best-of-five format
Phillies/Cubs at Braves
Brewers/Giants at Dodgers

Since 2022, all ties within the standings — for a division title or Wild Card spot, or to find out playoff seeding — have been decided solely by a collection of mathematical tiebreakers, quite than on the sector. A full breakdown of the present methodology will be seen right here, however to summarize, the highest three components are, so as: head-to-head document, intradivision document (i.e. inside the identical division) after which document in opposition to opponents in the identical league however a special division.

Here is a take a look at three examples of how tiebreakers might come into play:

Who is subsequent: The Braves (90-45) have a magic quantity of 5 to clinch a postseason berth and a magic variety of 12 to clinch the NL East. The Dodgers (83-50) have a magic variety of 14 to clinch the NL West title.

3 key video games from yesterday

AL East: Orioles lead Rays by 2.5 video games

AL West: Mariners lead Astros, Rangers by 1 sport

NL Central: Brewers lead Cubs by 3.5 video games

AL Wild Card: Rangers/Astros lead Blue Jays by 1.5 video games for third berth

NL Wild Card: Giants, Marlins, D-backs tied for third berth; Reds in digital tie (decrease win proportion)

Heading up: The Rays are 7-3 of their previous 10 video games, constructing themselves a cushion within the AL Wild Card standings. At 83-54, they lead the Rangers and Astros by 6 1/2 video games whereas remaining a menace within the AL East.

Heading down: The Giants had an enormous alternative to bury the Padres and achieve floor within the NL Wild Card standings. Instead, San Francisco misplaced three of 4 video games in San Diego and is now in a three-way tie for the third Wild Card spot.

Clinched postseason berth: None

Almost there (90% postseason odds or higher): Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, Rays, Brewers, Phillies, Twins

In fine condition (50-89% postseason odds): Astros, Mariners, Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays

In the combo (10-49% postseason odds): Giants, D-backs, Marlins, Reds

Still alive (Postseason odds above 0%): Red Sox, Guardians, Padres, Yankees, Tigers, Mets