As the month of September rolls around, we’re counting down to the end of the MLB regular season and following all the races to reach the 2023 postseason.
Below are the teams that have punched their ticket to October or are within 10 wins (or losses to the opposition) of doing so, with more to be added in the days and weeks to come, as well as what it looks like in the postseason when the season ends today.
(All numbers current through play Friday.)
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ATLANTA BRAVES
What’s next: The Braves became the first team to clinch a spot in the 2023 postseason with a win over the Pirates on Sunday, and then they claimed their sixth straight division title with a win over the Phillies on Wednesday. Owners of the best record in baseball, the Braves will next look to secure the top seed in the NL, which guarantees a bye to the NLDS and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The way the Braves have been playing this year, it’s a safe bet that the NL playoffs will go through Atlanta.
How they got here: To put it bluntly, the Braves are the best team in MLB this season. With a nearly 30% chance of winning the World Series, per FanGraphs, and a do-everything star in Ronald Acuña Jr., the Braves pitched and hit and slugged and defended their way past the top expectations for this year.
Achievements required to obtain:
Why you should root for them: They became the new final boss of baseball.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
What’s next: The Orioles — atop arguably baseball’s strongest division since July and currently battling a four-game set with the Rays — are seeking their first AL East title since 2014 and the ticket to host the ALDS which is associated with it. If Baltimore can hold off Tampa Bay, the Orioles will be the top seed in the AL postseason picture.
How they got here: One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2023 season, the young, fun, confident Orioles surged to the top of the American League on the strength of a young core that blossomed into stars together. The Orioles haven’t been swept in a series since May 2022, a span that spans the entire career of catcher Adley Rutschman.
Achievements required to obtain:
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Postseason berth: 3
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AL East title: 14
Why you should root for them: They don’t know how to disappear.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
What’s next: At a time when many expected the Dodgers to regress after a quiet offseason, they instead continued to do what they did: Cruise past their NL West foes and into the postseason picture. With a 13.5 game lead in the division, the Dodgers are on their way to their 10th division title in the last 11 years.
How they got here: This Dodgers season hasn’t been smooth sailing, but once again, their depth has carried them. Injuries abound in the starting rotation, leaving questions about who will pick for LA in the postseason. Those questions are further complicated by the recent arrest of Julio Urias for domestic violence and the news that Walker Buehler will not return this season.
Achievements required to obtain:
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Postseason berth: 2
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NL West title: 4
Why you should root for them: They make bad players good.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
What’s next: With two wins in the first two games of this weekend’s series, the Rays are tied with the Orioles for the lead in the AL East, and they want to clinch the division crown and get a bye in the ALDS. But even if that doesn’t happen, Tampa Bay is firmly in position to secure the AL’s top wild card.
How they got here: The Rays started 2023 as hot as any team in recent memory, jumping out to an early lead in their division with a 13-0 start. Injuries (especially in the rotation), attrition and Wander Franco’s legal situation have taken their toll, but Tampa Bay remains one of the AL’s top teams, comfortably ahead of the wild-card picture.
Achievements required to obtain:
Why you should root for them: They have never won a World Series.
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MINNESOTA TWINS
What’s next: It’s division-title-or-bust for the Twins, as some team has to win the moribund AL Central. Minnesota currently holds an 8-game lead over Cleveland, making for a comfortable trip to the postseason, where the Twins will host a wild-card series — and at least not have to contend. of the Yankees this year.
How they got here: The Twins led their division most of the season on the strength of a strengthened pitching rotation led by Sonny Gray and Pablo López. On the offensive side, however, there is a lot left to be desired, as Carlos Correa has yet to find his stride, and Byron Buxton is injured again.
Achievements required to obtain:
Why you should root for them: They are the most underdog of underdogs.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
What’s next: Cruising steadily toward the postseason, the Brewers must hold off the challenging Cubs to clinch the NL Central title and wild-card hosting duties. Milwaukee currently sits 5.5 games ahead of Chicago in the standings, and the two teams will play a three-game series to end the regular season — possibly for all the marbles.
How they got here: The Brewers continue to do what they do best this season, with dominant pitching from the rotation and the bullpen backed by a juuuust adequate offense. The three-headed monster of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta — along with a Devin Williams chaser — leads the way in a division race that Milwaukee has lost for a while now.
Achievements required to obtain:
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Postseason berth: 8
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NL Central titles: 11
Why you should root for them: Maybe it’s because you’re a Mets fan.
PLAYOFF BRACKET WHEN THE SEASON IS OVER NOW
AL wild-card round:
NL wild-card round:
ALDS:
NLDS:
