The MLB postseason is getting closer, and the list of October-bound teams continues to grow.
The Tampa Bay Rays locked up the American League East on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and with it secured home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. They're one of several teams that have already punched their tickets to October, while a pair of AL division races and several wild-card battles remain unresolved.
Here's a look at every team that has clinched a playoff berth, plus the clubs closest to joining the 2026 MLB postseason field.
Which MLB teams have clinched playoff berths?
American League
- Tampa Bay Rays (East)
- New York Yankees (No. 1 wild card)
- Boston Red Sox (wild card)
National League
- Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West)
- Atlanta Braves (NL East)
Which MLB teams have clinched divisions?
- Milwaukee Brewers: NL Central
- Los Angeles Dodgers: NL West
- Atlanta Braves: NL East
- Tampa Bay Rays: AL East
Who's closest to a playoff berth?
These are the teams closest to clinching divisions/playoff spots:
- Chicago Cubs — 1 to clinch playoff berth
- Los Angeles Dodgers — 1 to clinch NL first-round bye
- Boston Red Sox — 2 to clinch AL No. 2 wild card
- Chicago White Sox — 2 to clinch playoff berth
- Cleveland Guardians — 2 to clinch playoff berth (5 to clinch AL Central and AL first-round bye)
- Philadelphia Phillies — 2 to clinch playoff berth
- San Diego Padres — 2 to clinch playoff berth
- Milwaukee Brewers — 4 to clinch NL's home-field advantage
Projected MLB postseason bracket
This would be the playoff field if the season ended after games on Tuesday, Sept. 22:
American League
- Tampa Bay Rays (East)
- Cleveland Guardians (Central)
- Houston Astros (West)
- New York Yankees (Wild card No. 1)
- Boston Red Sox (Wild card No. 2)
- Chicago White Sox (Wild card No. 3)
National League
- Milwaukee Brewers (Central)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (West)
- Atlanta Braves (East)
- Chicago Cubs (Wild card No. 1)
- Philadelphia Phillies (Wild card No. 2)
- San Diego Padres (Wild card No. 3)
This article originally
appeared on USA TODAY: Who's in? Every MLB team that has clinched a playoff spot in 2026
