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The MLB playoffs inch closer each day. Each game that is played to the conclusion pushes the teams closer to the 162-game total. In the past, a Game 163 has been played to determine tiebreakers, but that's not the case anymore.
Therefore, the MLB playoffs begin on Oct. 1. From Oct. 1 to 3, the Wild Card series will unfold in both the AL and the NL. On Oct. 5, the remaining teams, plus those with byes, will move into the Division Series.
The first game of the Championship Series will be on Oct. 13, with the four remaining teams squaring off through Oct. 22 if necessary. Finally, the World Series is scheduled to run from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2.
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How many MLB teams make the playoffs?
Six MLB teams make the playoffs from each league. The winners of each division (West, East and Central) and three wild cards go on into the next phase when the calendar flips to October.
The MLB has tweaked the postseason format and has, for now, landed with six teams going in and the bottom four playing in the Wild Card round. The top two teams from each league receive a first-round bye and do not have to play until Oct. 5.
Who is in the playoffs now?
As of Sept. 12, the New York Yankees hold the tiebreaker over the Cleveland Guardians for the top seed in the American League. Those two teams are their division's leaders. The Houston Astros are the other division leaders.
The three wild cards are, in order, the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins. Also in the hunt are these teams, all of whom are within four games of the final Wild Card:
- Detroit Tigers
- Boston Red Sox
- Seattle Mariners
In the National League, the top seed is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Los Angeles Dodgers also have a bye week, and the Milwaukee Brewers are the three seed.
The wild cards are the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. Also in the hunt are:
- Atlanta Braves
- Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are five games back, so they're barely hanging on. There are roughly 16 games remaining for each team to make their final postseason case.
