Five Teams Poised to Clinch 2026 MLB Playoff Spots Ahead of Wednesday Games
The Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres could secure postseason berths on Wednesday, while six clubs have already qualified and 13 have been eliminated.
Six clubs—Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Red Sox—have already clinched spots in the 2026 MLB postseason. Thirteen teams, including the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals, are mathematically eliminated.
The Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres remain in contention and could lock in playoff berths depending on Wednesday's results. The Cubs have the most scenarios for qualification; a win over the Miami Marlins or a Colorado Rockies victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks would secure their spot.
The Phillies need to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers and also require either a Rockies win or a Padres victory at Los Angeles to clinch. The Padres can advance with a win over the Dodgers combined with a Rockies victory. The White Sox must beat the Kansas City Royals while the New York Mets defeat the Texas Rangers. The Guardians require a win over the Boston Red Sox and either a Mets win or a Houston Astros victory over the Seattle Mariners.
These outcomes also affect the race for the AL Central title, a potential top seed and a Wild Card round bye. According to MLB.com analyst Andrew Simon, the division winner could secure both the bye and home-field advantage if the Guardians beat the Red Sox, the Mariners defeat the Astros and the Mets beat the Rangers on Wednesday.
The Toronto Blue Jays stay alive only if they win a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles and see either the White Sox lose to the Royals or the Guardians lose to the Red Sox, per MLB.com’s Thomas Hall.