MLB · 3 months ago

American League Bracket if the Postseason Started Today

Hannah Brewitt

American League Bracket if the Postseason Started Today

MLB playoffs are just around the corner. We’re tracking how the AL postseason picture is shaping up.

A new postseason structure was introduced before the 2022 season to expand the playing field. Six American League teams will make the playoffs at the end of the 162-game regular season, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye and the third seed competing in a best-of-three wild card series. In the wild-card round, the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed.

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AL Playoff Picture on September 22

No. 1 – Baltimore Orioles	First-Round Bye
No. 2 – Houston Astros	First-Round Bye
No. 3 – Minnesota Twins	No. 6 – Texas Rangers (WC No. 3)
No. 4 – Tampa Bay Rays (WC No. 1)	No. 5 – Seattle Mariners (WC No. 2)

SportsGrid’s Best Daily MLB Prop Picks

Entering the final days of the regular season, the AL East dominates the postseason picture with two teams headed to the playoffs. The Minnesota Twins stand as the lone representative from the AL Central.

As it stands, the defending champion Houston Astros would lock down the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye, and the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners would secure coveted wild card spots. All three teams are virtually tied at the top of the standings. Fans can expect a thrilling race to the finish as September draws close.

The Baltimore Orioles held their spot at the top of the AL East, now a game and a half ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams have secured a playoff bid, but the divisional crown is still up for grabs. Elsewhere in the division, the Toronto Blue Jays muscled their way back into the playoff picture with the second wild-card spot.

Rounding out the division leaders, the Minnesota Twins lead the AL Central. They will make the postseason despite having a worse record than every team above (including the wild-card contenders). To say this season’s AL Central is one of the worst divisions in MLB history wouldn’t be an exaggeration. The 2023 AL Central is on pace to produce the worst combined record of MLB’s divisional era.

AL Winner Odds on September 22

No. 1 – Houston Astros +250	No. 5 – Texas Rangers +700
No. 2 – Baltimore Orioles +300	No. 6 – Toronto Blue Jays +900
No. 3 – Tampa Bay Rays +450	No. 7 – Minnesota Twins +900
No. 4 – Seattle Mariners +700	No. 8 – New York Yankees +5000