The Giants and the Dodgers are in. Outside of that, there’s a multitude of scenarios that could unfold between now and when the post season kicks off in a few weeks. While the Brewers and White Sox each have comfortable leads and can clinch division titles in the near future, other races are likely to come down to the final weekend.
The AL East has a clear front runner in Tampa Bay, but nipping at their heels are the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees, all within a half game of each other. Despite playing a full 162 game schedule in 2021, the Blue Jays playoff hopes will likely be decided during a six game stretch between September 28th and October 3rd. There, they’ll have 3 games against the aforementioned Yankees, followed by a chance to beat up on the last place Orioles who will be looking to play spoiler at season’s end.
The Yankees meanwhile will have to run the AL East gauntlet to close out the regular season with series against the Red Sox, Jays, and Rays to end their year. Which actually leaves Boston in perhaps the best position down the stretch. Outside of the previously mentioned 3 game set with their bitter rivals in New York, Boston has the Mets, Orioles and Nationals to close out the regular season. All three clubs currently sit on the wrong side of .500 and could be exactly what the Sox need to punch their ticket to the postseason.
There’s also Oakland (3GB) and Seattle (4GB) lurking in the weeds should any of their AL East foes stumble down the stretch. While Houston has a comfortable 7 and 8 game lead respectively over the clubs, either one could make things interesting if they post a double digit win total in the final few games of the season.
The NL East is the only division in the Senior Circuit still up for grabs if you rule out the Dodgers/Giants who could flip flop with one another but are both through to the postseason. It remains, as it has been for most the year, a division no one seems to want to win. The Mets were atop the standings for a good portion of the season before collapsing down the stretch. Philadelphia briefly had their moment in the sunshine before going 4-6 in their last 10 games. Now Atlanta, a mere 8 games over .500 holds the lead as the teams come round the final turn.
The Braves at least control their destiny with a series against both the Phillies and Mets in the next few weeks. Those divisional games will likely either cement their status as NL East champs, or be a slow motion car wreck spaced out over a week in late September.
The most interesting race in the National League will be for the 2nd wildcard spot. Currently held by St. Louis, the Cardinals have their work cut out for them with the Padres a half game back, the Reds 1GB, and the Phillies 2.5GB. St. Louis’ 5 game winning streak could not have come at a better time, not to mention their roster getting healthy down the stretch as well.
With less than 20 games left on the schedule, every game takes on added significance. And though most divisional races are nearing “clinched” status, the wild card race is a dead heat in both the American and National Leagues. 162 games for the chance to win the biggest prize in baseball. Be sure to mark your playoff calendars accordingly:
Playoff schedule
Wild-card round (single-game elimination)
AL: Tuesday, Oct. 5
NL: Wednesday, Oct. 6
Division series (best of five)
ALDS A & B
Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 7
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 8
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 10
Game 4: Monday, Oct. 11*
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 13*
NLDS A & B
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 8
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 9
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 11
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 12*
Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 14*
Championship series (best of seven)
ALCS
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 15
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 16
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 18
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 19
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 20*
Game 6: Friday, Oct. 22*
Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 23*
NLCS
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 16
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 17
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 19
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 20
Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 21*
Game 6: Saturday, Oct. 23*
Game 7: Sunday, Oct. 24*
World Series (best of seven)
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 26
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 29
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 30
Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 31*
Game 6: Tuesday, Nov. 2*
Game 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3*
* If necessary
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner