2023 MLB Playoffs Image: Bracket, Rankings, Magic Numbers, Tiebreakers for Baseball Postseason – CBS Sports

The final weekend of the 2023 Major League Baseball regular season has arrived and there are still five playoff spots on the line. The Orioles clinched their first AL East title since 2014 on a wild Thursday night in MLB as the Mariners defeated the Rangers with a walk-off win and a suspended game between the Marlins and Mets that may not finish until Monday. denied a secure playoff spot.

Seven teams (Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, Rays, Twins, Brewers and Phillies) have all secured their playoff spots. With five spots remaining, the Rangers, Blue Jays, Astros, Diamondbacks and Marlins will determine their own postseason fates, but the Mariners, Cubs, Reds and even the Padres still have playoff hopes.

The Rangers and Mariners continue their four-game streak Friday night in the biggest series of the weekend. Texas needs a win to clinch a playoff spot and two wins this weekend to clinch the AL West title. The Astros face the Diamondbacks in a series in which both teams could secure playoff spots. The Cubs face the Brewers and need help from the Pirates, who host the Marlins at PNC Park.

The top four seeds are entrenched in the National League: No. 1 Braves, No. 2 Dodgers, No. 3 Brewers and No. 4 Phillies. The Braves and Dodgers are bidding a bye to the NLCS, while the Brewers and Phillies will host the Wild Card Series next week.

There are three seeds in the American League: No. 1 Orioles, No. 3 Twins and No. 4 Rays. The Rangers will receive the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye if they can clinch the AL West.

The picture of the 2023 MLB playoffs is also notable for who is not there. The Padres, Yankees, Mets and Cardinals — all playoff teams in 2022 and projected contenders in 2023 — have had disappointing years that will likely end with the regular season. The Angels’ playoff hopes were dashed in a dismal August. The Halos withdrew from the race in August, permanently ruling out Shohei Ohtani for the season.

As a reminder, MLB now uses a 12-team playoff format, with the three division winners and three wild card teams in both leagues qualifying for the postseason. The two division winners with the best record in each league receive byes into the League Division Series round, while the other eight teams compete in a best-of-three wild card series.

Who won?

• Brave: Won the NL East, home advantage in the playoffs
• Dodgers: Won NL West
• Twins: AL Central won
• Orioles: AL East won, home advantage through ALCS
• Rays: AL playoff spot secured
• brewer: Won in NL Central
• Phillies: Secure NL wildcard spot

Magic numbers

• The Rangers’ magic number for the playoff spot: 1
• The Diamondbacks’ magic number for the playoff spot: 1
• The Rangers’ magic number to win the AL West: 2
• The Blue Jays’ magic number for the playoff spot: 2
• The Astros’ magic number for the playoff spot: 3
• The Marlins’ magic number for the playoff spot: 3

Tiebreakers

Here’s a look at the key tiebreakers that could play a role in determining playoff spots and seedings. MLB uses the head-to-head record as a top tiebreaker among teams that finish with the same record.

AL West
Astros own tiebreaker over Rangers
Mariners own tiebreaker over Astros
Rangers own tiebreaker over Mariners

AL wildcard
Rangers own tiebreaker over Mariners and Blue Jays
Mariners own tiebreaker over Blue Jays

NL wildcard
Marlins own tiebreaker over Diamondbacks, Cubs, Reds
Diamondbacks own tiebreaker over Cubs
The Reds own the tiebreaker over the Cubs and Diamondbacks

Here’s a look at the MLB standings and playoff picture for the 12-team postseason as of this morning. All division and postseason odds are courtesy of SportsLine. You can view the extended rankings here.

Image of the 2023 MLB playoffs

American League bracket

(If the season ends today)

Wild Card Series: No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Astros
Wild Card Series: No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Blue Jays
ALDS: No. 1 Orioles vs. Rays/Blue Jays
ALDS: No. 2 Rangers vs. Twins/Astros

National League bracket

(If the season ends today)

Wild Card Series: No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Marlins
Wild Card Series: No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Diamondbacks
NLDS: No. 1 Braves vs. Phillies/Diamondbacks
NLDS: No. 2 Dodgers vs. Brewers/Marlins

American League Standings

National League standings

Wildcard scoring

American League

Bundesliga