MLB 2026 · ⚾

MLB analysis

The playoff picture in numbers — why each magic number is what it is, and what to watch this week.

🎯 Fri, Sep 18

MLB playoff picture with nine games left — the Astros must win out to clinch on their own, and three teams are within two games

Through games of September 18. Four AL spots and four NL spots are already locked. The last AL wild card is a four-team scramble; in the NL, Arizona's tragic number is 5 and the Marlins and Pirates are one loss from elimination.

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