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Five teams have already clinched postseason berths by the time the 2024 MLB regular season concludes, with three more eligible to join them on Saturday and Sunday.
The Philadelphia Phillies have already secured an appearance in the postseason, but the team can clinch the No. 1 spot in the NL East with a win over the New York Mets.
The Baltimore Orioles can also clinch a postseason berth on Saturday, but the team will need some help. The Orioles must beat the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers must beat the Seattle Mariners for Baltimore to make the playoffs.
The Houston Astros currently hold a five-game lead over the Mariners for the AL West lead. The Astros can secure the division crown with wins on Saturday and Sunday, as well as losses to Seattle both days.
Houston is the only division-leading team that has not yet clinched a playoff spot.
With a walk-off win on Thursday, the Cleveland Guardians punched their ticket to the postseason.
The Guardians, sitting at 90-65 with a 7.5-game lead over the Kansas City Royals, can clinch their second division title in three years with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals or a Royals loss on Saturday.
The San Diego Padres can clinch a postseason spot on Sunday, though the team will need some help. The Padres must go 2-0 in their next two games, with the Mets and Atlanta Braves losing one of their next two contests. If San Diego goes 1-1, it can still clinch a playoff berth if New York and Atlanta both go 0-2 in the same span.
In the American League wild card race, the Orioles, Royals and Twins are in the top three spots. With an 80-74 record, the Tigers are just one game behind Minnesota and still have eight games to play. The Mariners aren’t too far behind, sitting at 79-75.
According to the National League wild card picture, the Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are in the top two spots. The Mets have managed to move into third place with a strong finish to the season, but they only hold a slim two-game lead over the Braves as the two teams begin a three-game series on Tuesday.
The postseason race is heating up, and several teams can secure their spot in the playoffs with strong performances on Saturday.