The 2021 MLB period is rapidly unwinding, and also as it nears its coating a number of postseason races have actually drawn a lot of the emphasis.

All but 2 local races appear locked up. The Braves surged right into top place in August and also are holding onto the leading place early in September with the Phillies not also much behind them. The Giants have actually quietly been the best group in baseball for a lot of the period, yet discover themselves holding off an incredibly talented Dodgers squad in the NL West.

 FAGAN: Scherzer could be finest midseason pitching procurement of perpetuity Both the races for the wild card look to be fights to the coating. In the American Organization, the Red Sox and Yankees gone into September holding on to the leading two spots yet have faced stress from the Blue Jays

, Mariners and also Athletics. The team that ends up 2nd in the NL West will be the first wild card, but the 2nd spot is still open as the Phillies, Reds, Padres as well as Mets chase the surging Cardinals.

FAGAN: 2011 Cardinals provide wish to teams still outside October's playoff photo The

Sporting News is tracking the MLB standings as the season finishes up. Here's all you need to understand heading right into the last stretch of the project. MLB standings

2021 American League playoff braceStandings updated after video games
played on Thursday, Sept. 23 Seed Group Department Record Percentage
1 Rays East 94-59.614 2 Astros West 91-62 .595
3 White Sox Central 86-67 .562
4 (WC) Red Sox East 88-65 .575
5 (WC) Yankees East 86-67 .562

American League wild-card standings

  • WC1: Red Sox, 88-65 (.575 )
  • WC2: Yankees, 86-67 (.562 )

-- Blue

  • Jays, 85-68 (.556 ), 1 GB
  • Mariners, 84-69 (.549 ), 2 GB
  • Athletics, 82-71 (.539 ), 4 GB
  • Indians, 75-77 (.493 ), ELIMINATED
  • Tigers, 74-78 (.487 ), ELIMINATED
  • Angels, 73-80 (.477 ), ELIMINATED
  • Royals, 69-83 (.454 ), ELIMINATED
  • Twins, 68-85 (.444 ), ELIMINATED
  • Rangers, 55-98 (.359 ), ELIMINATED
  • Orioles, 49-104 (.320 ), ELIMINATED

National League playoff brace

Standings upgraded after games used Thursday, Sept. 23

Seed Team Division Videotape Portion
1 Giants West 99-54 .647
2 Brewers Central 91-62 .595
3 Braves East 80-71 .530
4 (WC) Dodgers West 98-55 .641
5 (WC) Cardinals Central 83-69 .546

National League wild card standings

  • WC1: Dodgers, 98-55 (.641 )
  • WC2: Cardinals, 83-69 (.546 )

-- Phillies

  • , 79-74 (.516 ), 4.5 GB
  • Reds, 78-75 (.510 ), 5.5 GB
  • Padres, 77-75 (.507 ), 6 GB
  • Mets, 73-79 (.480 ), 10 GB
  • Mountain ranges, 71-81 (.467 ), ELIMINATED
  • Cubs, 67-85 (.441 ), ELIMINATED
  • Marlins, 64-88 (.421 ), ELIMINATED
  • Nationals, 64-89 (.418 ), ELIMINATED
  • Pirates, 57-95 (.375 ), ELIMINATED
  • Diamondbacks, 49-104 (.320 ), ELIMINATED

MLB magic numbers for 2021

This is the component where followers of teams in playoff areas-- or those just outdoors-- really start to get out the calculators. The magic number is the mix of a group's wins and/or losses by its closest competitor needed to secure a playoff area.

The magic number is noted for every team leading the department to claim the title, and the elimination number noted for groups trailing in the department. The same details is offered those in the chase for the wild card. Information originates from MLB.com.

Upgraded after games on Thursday, Sept. 23

AL East

Rays, 4/CLINCHED PLAYOFFS

Red Sox, x/4

Yankees, x/2

Blue Jays, x/1

Orioles, x/x

AL Central

White Sox, CLINCHED DEPARTMENT

Indians, x/x

Tigers, x/x

Royals, x/x

Twins, x/x

AL West

Astros, 3/x

Mariners, x/3

Sports, x/1

Angels, x/x

Rangers, x/x

AL wild card

Red Sox, 7/x

Yankees, 9/x

Blue Jays, x/9

Mariners, x/8

Athletics, x/6

Indians, x/x

Tigers, x/x

Angels, x/x

Royals, x/x

Twins, x/x

Rangers, x/x

Orioles, x/x

NL East

Braves, 9/x

Phillies, x/9

Mets, x/4

Marlins, x/x

Nationals, x/x

NL Central

Brewers, 3/CLINCHED CHAMPIONSHIP

Cardinals, x/3

Reds, x/x

Cubs, x/x

Pirates, x/x

NL West

Giants, 9/CLINCHED CHAMPIONSHIP

Dodgers, x/9

Padres, x/x

Rockies, x/x

Diamondbacks, x/x

NL wild card

Dodgers, CLINCHED CHAMPIONSHIP

Cardinals, 6/x

Phillies, x/6

Reds, x/5

Padres, x/5

Mets, x/1

Mountain ranges, x/x

Cubs, x/x

Marlins, x/x

Nationals, x/x

Pirates, x/x

Diamondbacks, x/x