Updated 2026 MLB Playoffs Bracket Picture, Standings and Clinching Scenarios for Sept. 23

Five clubs could lock in a trip to the 2026 MLB postseason this Wednesday.

The Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres are all in line to potentially clinch postseason berths depending on Wednesday's results, according to MLB.

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Six clubs have already clinched playoff spots in the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox.

The Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The Cubs have the most possible ways to clinch after previously blowing an opportunity to secure a spot with a Tuesday night loss to the Miami Marlins.

Either a Wednesday redemption win over the Marlins or a Colorado Rockies win over the Arizona Diamondbacks will be enough to send the Cubs to the playoffs.

The outcome of the Rockies/Diamondbacks game could also impact a few other postseason hopefuls.

The Philadelphia Phillies need a win over the Milwaukee Brewers, combined with either a Rockies victory or a San Diego Padres win at the Los Angeles Dodgers, in order to punch their postseason ticket by Wednesday night.

The Padres are in the playoffs with a win over the Dodgers combined with a Rockies victory.

The White Sox need a victory over the Kansas City Royals combined with a New York Mets win over the Texas Rangers.

The Cleveland Guardians are looking for a win over the Red Sox, combined with either a Mets victory of a Houston Astros win over the Seattle Mariners.

The outcomes of the White Sox and Guardians games will also play a role in determining who wins the race to the top of the AL Central and potentially an AL top seed and Wild Card-round bye.

Whichever club wins the division will get the chance to secure both the bye and divisional home-field advantage if the Guardians beat the Red Sox, the Mariners defeat the Astros and the Mets win over the Rangers this Wednesday, per MLB.com's Andrew Simon .

Other clubs could join the pool of eliminated teams depending on Wednesday's results.

The Toronto Blue Jays need to win both games of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, and see the White Sox lose to the Royals or the Guardians lose to the Red Sox, in order to keep their postseason hopes alive (h/t MLB.com's Thomas Hall ).

The Orioles are also one loss away from postseason elimination and could be out if they split the doubleheader against the Blue Jays, per MLB.com's Jake Rill .