The playoff field for the 2023 Major League Baseball season is starting to shape up as September approaches. Some division races are already decided (NL East and NL West), but there will be plenty of competition in the season’s final month. The Orioles are trying to hold on in the AL East, while the Brewers are aiming to fend off the Cubs in the NL Central. In the AL West, the Rangers, Mariners, and Astros are currently tied for first place.
The NL wild-card race is also highly contested. The Phillies are leading for the top wild-card spot, but the Cubs, Giants, Diamondbacks, Reds, and Marlins are all vying for the final two playoff berths in the NL. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays and Red Sox are trying to stay in the AL wild-card race behind the Rays and the AL West teams.
The 2023 MLB playoff picture is notable for the absence of some expected contenders. The Yankees, Mets, Padres, and Cardinals, all playoff teams in 2022, have had disappointing seasons. The Angels also saw their playoff hopes end in August after learning that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow.
Here’s a look at the current MLB standings and playoff picture for the 12-team postseason. All division and postseason odds are provided by SportsLine, and you can check out the expanded standings here.
2023 MLB playoff picture
American League
Byes
- No. 1 Orioles and No. 2 Rangers (own tiebreaker over Mariners)
Wild Card Series
- No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Astros
- No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Mariners
National League
Byes
- No. 1 Braves and No. 2 Dodgers
Wild Card Series
- No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Giants
- No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Cubs
American League standings
National League standings
Wild-card standings
American League
National League
| TEAM | W | L | WCGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 74 | 58 | +5.0 |
| Chi. Cubs | 70 | 62 | +1.0 |
| San Francisco | 69 | 63 | — |
| Arizona | 69 | 64 | 0.5 |
| Cincinnati | 68 | 66 | 2.0 |
| Miami | 66 | 66 | 3.0 |
