What’s going on in the MLB? The Republic takes a look at baseball’s storylines
From Randy Arozarena’s big hitting performance against the Texas Rangers to the race for the postseason, here are some of the best stories from MLB just before the playoffs.
The situation for the 2024 MLB playoffs is slowly taking shape, but some teams are still fighting for a playoff spot while others are just trying to secure a spot in the 2024 postseason.
Take a look at the 2024 MLB Playoffs standings, as well as the magic number of each team participating in the MLB Playoffs for the 2024 postseason.
What is a magic number in baseball?
It is the number of wins a team needs, combined with the number of losses of its closest rival, to achieve a goal, such as a place in the 2024 postseason or a first-place finish in the playoffs. When a team wins, the magic number decreases by one, as does when the team’s closest rival loses.
In both the National League and American League, six teams will advance to the postseason, with the top two seeds receiving a bye to the divisional round and the other four playing in the wild-card round. The No. 3 seed will face the No. 6 seed in the first round of the postseason, while the No. 4 seed will face the No. 5 seed.
Will the DBacks make the 2024 MLB playoffs? What do odds and schedule say about chances
MLB playoff standings: Where the teams stand in the division, wildcard races for the 2024 postseason
Picture of the 2024 MLB Playoffs: National League
National League playoff seedings:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (93-63)
- Philadelphia Phillies (93-64)
- Milwaukee Brewers (89-67)
- San Diego Padres (90-66)
- New York Mets (87-69)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (87-70)
Still in the race:
National League wildcard series if the postseason began today:
The magic numbers of the National League from Tuesday morning:
- Dodgers: 4 (to win NL West)
- Padres: 1 (to secure a playoff spot)
- Mets: 4 (to secure a playoff spot)
- Diamondbacks: 4 (to secure a playoff spot)
MLB Playoff Odds 2024: AL, NL and World Series odds for teams still in the race for the postseason
MLB 2024 Playoff Image: American League
Seeding list for the American League playoffs:
Still in the race:
- Minnesota Twins (81-75) – 1 game back
- Seattle Mariners (81-76) – 1.5 games back
- Boston Red Sox (79-78) – 3.5 games back
- Tampa Bay Rays (78-78) – 4 games back
American League wildcard series if the postseason started today
- Astros vs Tigers
- Orioles vs Royals
The magic numbers of the American League from Tuesday morning:
- Yankees: 1 (to win AL East)
- Astros: 2 (to win AL West and a playoff spot)
- Orioles: 2 (to secure a playoff spot)
- Royals: 6 (to secure a playoff spot)
- Tigers: 6 (to secure a playoff spot)
When do the 2024 MLB playoffs start? Schedule, format, tiebreakers and TV for the baseball postseason
More: Tickets for the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB playoffs on sale
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
