Potential MLB division and wild card standings, playoff berths, and opening-round advantages in the 2025 postseason race due to tiebreaker scenarios

MLB Standings Update: Playoff Races Heat Up

As the MLB regular season enters its final stretch, several teams are battling it out for playoff spots and division titles. Here's a roundup of some key developments across the American League (AL) and National League (NL).

AL West Competitive as Season Series Remain Tight

The race for the AL West title remains tight, with the Houston Astros' opponents yet to be determined for the most wins against them in the division. Meanwhile, the season series between the Astros and Seattle Mariners is currently tied. The Mariners, who hold a 10-3 record against the Rangers this season, are up 3-0 over the Cleveland Guardians, with one more win securing the season series. The Texas Rangers, on the other hand, hold the tiebreaker over the Kansas City Royals.

AL East Lead for Blue Jays, Tiebreakers Galore

In the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays maintain a lead and hold the tiebreaker over the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Red Sox and Yankees currently occupy the wild card spots, with the Mariners, Royals, Rangers, and Guardians within five games.

AL Central: Tigers Dominate, Cubs and Brewers Tied

The Detroit Tigers have clinched the season series over the second-place Royals and hold a significant lead in the AL Central. In the NL Central, the Cubs have taken seven of 13 head-to-head games against the Milwaukee Brewers, with both teams currently holding the tiebreaker over each other.

NL East: Mets Clinch Season Series Against Phillies

In the NL East, the Mets have clinched the season series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The two teams will meet again for three games starting Sept. 5 in Cincinnati, with the Reds holding a 2-1 lead in head-to-head games this season against the Mets.

NL West: Dodgers Hold Advantage over Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won nine of 13 games against the San Diego Padres in the NL West, holding the tiebreaker.

Playoff Seeding and Tiebreakers

The most important aspect of playoff seeding in MLB is the first-round byes, which are awarded to the division winners with the best record in each league. In case of ties, they are resolved based on head-to-head record, intradivision record, interdivision record, last 81 intraleague games, and last 82 intraleague games until the tie is broken.

Mets and Phillies Potential Tiebreaker Scenario

If the Mets and Phillies were to tie by Game 162, the Mets would be division champions due to their head-to-head record.

No More Tiebreaker Games in MLB

It's worth noting that Major League Baseball no longer plays tiebreaker games. Instead, the tiebreaker rules outlined above determine the outcome of any potential ties.

Current NL Wild Card Standings

In the NL, the current wild card standings have the Cubs, Padres, Mets, and Reds.

As the season reaches its climax, fans are eagerly awaiting the final outcomes of these thrilling races. Stay tuned for more updates as the MLB postseason approaches!

Potential MLB division and wild card standings, playoff berths, and opening-round advantages in the 2025 postseason race due to tiebreaker scenarios