Updated 2026 MLB Playoffs Bracket Picture and Standings After Dodgers Clinch NL West Title

The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are one step closer to a first-round bye.

The Dodgers clinched their fifth straight NL West title Thursday with an 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

MLB playoff picture after two more teams clinch

Here's a look at the updated MLB standings now that the Dodgers have once more secured the NL West crown.

The Dodgers are currently on track to face either the Atlanta Braves or the San Diego Padres in the divisional series.

The club will need to clinch at least the No. 2 seed in the NL in order to secure an automatic spot in the NLDS.

Los Angeles is currently four games ahead of the Braves for the second seed. The Braves hold a head-to-head tiebreaker .

The Dodgers are also two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's top seed, which would grant the defending champions home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Back in 2021, the Dodgers finished second to the San Francisco Giants in the NL West race.

Outside of that season, the Dodgers have maintained the division title every year since 2013.

This year the Dodgers stayed on top of the division despite a late-season slump that saw the team go 13-14 in the month of August.

The Dodgers have bounced back with an 11-5 start to September to stay well ahead of the Padres and earn the division title.

Los Angeles is missing some key players to injury right now including starters Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, closer Edwin Díaz and two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers could hope to see some of those players work their way back into the lineup over the 10 games remaining in the regular season.