2022 MLB playoffs: Clinching scenarios, bracket and schedule

There are still weeks left to go in the 2022 MLB regular season, but a few teams — mainly the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers — are already looking toward October.

The Dodgers are on the verge of officially securing a playoff berth. Now the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves, to name a few teams, are on track to secure their own postseason spots sooner than their counterparts. Meanwhile, clubs such as the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, are battling it out for the remaining wild-card spots.

Beyond division races, there are many storylines to watch as the regular season comes to an end and October begins, such as Seattle's attempt to break a 21-year playoff drought, Aaron Judge's race to 62 home runs and Albert Pujols' quest for 700 career home runs.

Where do the current playoff matchups stand? What series should you be paying attention to in the coming week? When will the Dodgers clinch the NL West? And what does the playoff schedule look like? We have everything you need to know as the regular season winds down.

Key links: Standings | Wild-card standings | Guide to every race (ESPN+)

American League

Wild-card round: (6) Blue Jays at (3) Guardians, (5) Mariners at (4) Rays

ALDS: Blue Jays/Guardians vs. (2) Yankees, Mariners/Rays vs. (1) Astros

National League

Wild-card round: (6) Padres at (3) Cardinals, (5) Phillies at (4) Braves

NLDS: Padres/Cardinals vs. (2) Mets, Phillies/Braves vs. (1) Dodgers

*Clinched playoff berth

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are on the verge of clinching the season's first playoff berth — L.A.'s 10th straight trip to the postseason.

The Dodgers can clinch a postseason berth Monday night with a win at Arizona, and they can also clinch