Despite last night’s loss to the Minnesota Twins, dashing the Philadelphia Phillies’ hopes for first place in the National League, a lot is left to be determined in the playoff picture going into the final day of regular-season baseball.
The National League
The NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers (96-65) have clinched the top spot in the National League. They will face off against the victor of the NL Wild Card round between the No. 4 seed Chicago Cubs (91-70) and the No. 5 seed San Diego Padres (89-72). As the higher seed, the Cubs will host the best-of-three series beginning Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the NL East champion Phillies (95-66) will face the victor of the Wild Card series between the NL West champion and No. 3 seed Los Angeles Dodgers (92-69) and the No. 6 seed. The final playoff spot remains a two-man race as the Cincinnati Reds (83-78) and New York Mets (83-78) have the same record going into game 162.
Owning the tiebreaker, the Reds have the advantage over the Mets and can secure their spot in the postseason with one final victory over the top-dog Brewers. The Reds have won their previous two games against the Brewers up to this point in their series. Meanwhile, the Mets will need to hope for a Reds loss while also needing a win themselves against the Miami Marlins.
Whether it be the Mets or the Reds, the No. 6 seed will travel to Los Angeles for the best-of-three Wild Card series with a ticket to Philadelphia on the line.
The American League
On the American League side of the bracket, there is still a lot left to be determined. Six teams are all locked for the postseason, but only one seeding is locked going into Sunday.
The Toronto Blue Jays (93-68) and New York Yankees (93-68) remain in a battle for the AL East going into the final day of action. The Blue Jays have the tiebreaker and clinch the division with a victory. Should the Blue Jays lose to the Tampa Bay Rays and the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles, then the Yankees would take the AL East. To the victor of the AL East also goes the No. 1 seed in the AL.
The AL West is the only division to be clinched thus far in the AL, belonging to the Seattle Mariners (90-71). They will have the No. 2 seed and a bye through the AL Wild Card series.
Meanwhile, the AL Central will also be determined on Sunday. The collapse of the Detroit Tigers has been well-documented. As it stands, the Guardians (87-74) have the tiebreaker over the Tigers (87-74). Unless the Tigers win and the Guardians lose, the Guardians will own the AL Central and the No. 3 seed.
Going into Game 162, the Wild Card picture for the American League is…a cluster. With two divisions still up in the air, all three Wild Card slots are still to be determined. The Yankees or Blue Jays will own the top Wild Card slot, while some combination of the Tigers, Red Sox, and Guardians will own the other two Wild Card positions.
The Phillies, meanwhile, own a better record than the entire American League, guaranteeing home-field advantage in the World Series should the Phillies make it to the final stage.
Final business at the Bank
Cristopher Sánchez will take the mound on Sunday in the Phillies’ regular-season finale. He will go up against Twins’ right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson in the 3:05 p.m. start.
The Phillies will activate shortstop Trea Turner from the Injured List ahead of Sunday’s contest.
“Don’t be shocked if he comes out early,” manager Rob Thomson commented on Turner.
Sunday is also Fan Appreciation Day at Citizens Bank Park. All fans will receive a 2026 Schedule Magnet presented by Prego. The Phillies always include several additional prizes and giveaways for fans throughout Fan Appreciation Day as a thank-you to fans.
