AL wild-card standings, explained: Updated playoff chances and tiebreakers for 2026 MLB bracket
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AL wild-card standings, explained: Updated playoff chances and tiebreakers for 2026 MLB bracket originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While there is still one more weekend of games in the MLB regular season, the American League playoff picture doesn't have much left to determine.
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This year was one of the weakest years in American League history, as just two teams won 90 games and only five teams have clinched a winning record before the final weekend of the season. Still, that lack of production hasn't necessarily translated to a more competitive playoff race.
Additionally, a nor'easter forecast is providing issues for this weekend's scheduling, as a few series were forced to move their games to avoid the storm. That shouldn't impact the biggest races of the AL playoff picture, though.
Here's a look at the updated American League wild-card picture.
MORE: Updated MLB playoff bracket
AL wild-card standings
The American League wild-card playoff picture is pretty clear entering the final weekend of the regular season.
- WC1: Yankees, 93-68
- WC2: Red Sox, 87-74
- WC3: White Sox, 83-78
- Rangers, 79-81, E
- Orioles, 79-82, E
- Blue Jays, 78-83, E
- Twins, 76-85, E
- Tigers, 76-85, E
- Mariners, 75-86, E
- Royals, 68-93, E
- Athletics, 64-97, E
- Angels, 62-99, E
The New York Yankees were the first team to secure their wild-card seed in the league, as they clinched the first wild-card spot earlier in the week. The Boston Red Sox, meanwhile, clinched the second wild-card spot with a win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.
The final wild-card spot comes down to either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox, as one team will win the AL Central and the other will be the third wild-card team.
MORE: Updated NL wild-card playoff picture
AL Central standings
- Guardians, 85-76
- White Sox, 83-78, E
The Guardians clinched the AL Central on Saturday with a win and a White Sox loss. Cleveland will be the AL's No. 2 seed, while Chicago will be the No. 6 seed.
AL West standings
- Astros: 80-81
- Rangers: 80-81
The only playoff spot left to decide in the American League is the AL West division winner.
Both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers were eliminated from wild-card contention, but one of them will secure a spot in the playoffs as the AL West champion and earn the No. 3 seed in the AL playoffs. The Astros own the tiebreaker and thus have a slight advantage over the Rangers.