2023 MLB Playoffs Deciding Scenarios Bracket Schedule ESPN

2023 MLB Playoffs: Deciding Scenarios, Bracket, Schedule – ESPN – ESPN

ESPNSep 9, 2023, 2:31 PM ET4 Minute Read

Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire

There are still a few weeks left in the 2023 MLB regular season, but some teams – most notably the red-hot Atlanta Braves – are already looking ahead to October.

The Braves, along with the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers, are on track to secure a postseason berth soon. Meanwhile, clubs like the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs are fighting for the remaining wild card spots.

Beyond the divisional races, there are plenty of storylines to be unleashed as the regular season draws to a close and October begins.

Where are the current playoff games? What games should you watch out for today? How can the Braves be the first team to secure a postseason spot? And what does the playoff schedule look like? We’ve got everything you need to know as the regular season draws to a close.

Important links: Complete MLB Rankings | Wildcard Rating | Best playoff races

Who can secure a place in the playoffs next?

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are on the verge of becoming the first team to book a ticket to this year’s MLB playoffs. Atlanta can secure a postseason spot with a win on Saturday.

What are the current MLB playoff games in October?

American League

Wild Card Round: (6) Blue Jays at (3) Twins, (5) Mariners at (4) Rays

ALDS: Twins/Blue Jays vs. (2) Houston, Rays/Mariners vs. (1) Orioles

Bundesliga

Wild Card Round: (6) Diamondbacks at (3) Brewers, (5) Cubs at (4) Phillies

NLDS: Brewers/Marlins vs. (2) Dodgers, Phillies/Cubs vs. (1) Braves

Breaking down the AL race

Despite spending much of the season atop the AL East, the Rays are the American League’s top wild-card team after the Orioles captured sole possession of first place in the division in late July. Two other members of the AL East are still in playoff contention, though the Boston Red Sox’s chances are beginning to fade. The Toronto Blue Jays, on the other hand, are in a close fight for the last wild card spot.

Your competition? A Texas Rangers team that, like the Rays, led the division for more than 100 days this season but is now fighting for a spot in the postseason. The Mariners, who have usurped the Rangers at the top of the AL West, and the Houston Astros are now vying for the division title, while the Minnesota Twins should be locked in as the AL Central’s sole representative come October.

And what if those teams make the playoffs? Here are their odds for each playoff round:

Breaking down the NL race

The division races in the National League aren’t quite as close as those in the AL, as both the Braves and Dodgers have all but locked up the NL East and NL West, respectively. The Milwaukee Brewers have long held first place in the NL Central, but the Cubs are within striking distance of replacing them.

Now things are getting exciting in the wildcard race. While the Phillies and Cubs have a firm grip on the first two wild card spots, four teams – the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants – are just a few games apart for the final spot. Miami and Cincinnati are the big surprises, as neither team was considered a playoff contender heading into the season. Meanwhile, Arizona is in the wild-card hunt despite leading the Dodgers at the top of the division for parts of the first half.

And what if these teams make the playoffs? Here are their odds for each playoff round:

Game of the day

Need something to watch today? Here’s the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:

Playoff schedule

Wildcard series
Best of three, all games in the stadium of the better seed

Game 1: Tuesday, October 3rd
Game 2: Wednesday, October 4th
Game 3: Thursday, October 5th*

Division series
The best of five

ALDS
Game 1: Saturday, October 7th
Game 2: Sunday, October 8th
Game 3: Tuesday, October 10th
Game 4: Wednesday, October 11th*
Game 5: Friday, October 13th*

NLDS
Game 1: Saturday, October 7th
Game 2: Monday, October 9th
Game 3: Wednesday, October 11th
Game 4: Thursday, October 12th*
Game 5: Saturday, October 14th*

League Championship Series
The best of seven

ALCS
Game 1: Sunday, October 15th
Game 2: Monday, October 16th
Game 3: Wednesday, October 18th
Game 4: Thursday, October 19th
Game 5: Friday, October 20th*
Game 6: Sunday, October 22nd*
Game 7: Monday, October 23rd*

NLCS
Game 1: Monday, October 16th
Game 2: Tuesday, October 17th
Game 3: Thursday, October 19th
Game 4: Friday, October 20th
Game 5: Saturday, October 21st*
Game 6: Monday, October 23rd*
Game 7: Tuesday, October 24th*

World Series
The best of seven

Game 1: Friday, October 27th
Game 2: Saturday, October 28th
Game 3: Monday, October 30th
Game 4: Tuesday, October 31st
Game 5: Wednesday, November 1st*
Game 6: Friday, November 3rd*
Game 7: Saturday, November 4th*

* If necessary