MLB Playoff Picture Tightens as September Showdowns Loom
With just over a month remaining in the regular season, the National League playoff picture is becoming increasingly complex, with several teams battling for division titles and Wild Card spots. Tiebreaker scenarios are already coming into play, promising a dramatic finish to the 2024 campaign. Key series in September will determine not only who makes the postseason but also their seeding and potential matchups.The current standings reveal a tight race in both the NL East and NL West,while the NL Central appears more settled,though not entirely secure. Wild Card contention is notably fierce, with multiple teams separated by only a few games. This report details the current tiebreaker situations for each contending team, outlining what needs to happen for them to secure a favorable position in the playoffs.
NL East
the Phillies currently lead the NL East, with the Mets trailing by six games. Should the Phillies and Mets finish tied,the Mets hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. If the Phillies sweep their current series against Milwaukee, any tiebreaker between those clubs would be decided by intradivision record. The Phillies’ September 15-17 series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles could be crucial for NL postseason seeding.
NL Central
The Brewers lead the NL central by 5.5 games over the Cubs. To secure a tiebreaker against the Phillies, the brewers need just one win in their current series (after the Phillies won the series opener on Monday).
NL West
The Dodgers lead the NL West by 2.5 games over the Padres. The Dodgers have secured the tiebreaker over the Padres by winning nine of the 13 games played between the two teams.
Wild Card Race
the Cubs currently hold the first NL wild Card spot.A sweep of the mets from September 23-25 at Wrigley Field would secure a crucial Wild Card tiebreaker for Chicago. If they win two of three, the tiebreaker will come down to division record. The Padres‘ relevant Wild Card tiebreakers are all yet to be steadfast; division record would break any tie with the Cubs or Phillies. The Reds are four games behind the Mets for the third NL Wild Card spot and have opportunities to improve their position with upcoming series against the Mets, Padres, and Cubs. The Giants are five games back and don’t hold any tiebreakers over teams currently ahead of them in the Wild Card race, though they could determine a tiebreaker with the Reds based on intradivision record.
