2024 MLB playoff tracker: Clinching scenarios, bracket, schedule - ESPN

As the final month of the 2024 MLB regular season begins, a few teams are already looking to October.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies have opened comfortable leads in the NL Central and NL East, respectively, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians all seem like locks for postseason spots despite being in races at the top of their own divisions.

Beyond division races, there are many storylines to watch as the regular season comes to an end and October begins.

Where do the current playoff matchups stand? What games should you be paying attention to today? Who will be the first team to clinch a postseason berth? And what does the playoff schedule look like? We have everything you need to know as the regular season hits the homestretch.

Key links: Full MLB standings | Wild-card standings | Predictions

The Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Orioles, Yankees and Guardians all have at least a 99% chance of making the postseason early in the final month of the MLB season.

American League

Wild-card round: (6) Royals at (3) Astros, (5) Twins at (4) Yankees

ALDS: Royals/Astros vs. (2) Guardians, Twins/Yankees vs. (1) Orioles

National League

Wild-card round: (6) Mets at (3) Brewers, (5) D-backs at (4) Padres

NLDS: Mets/Brewers vs. (2) Dodgers, D-backs/Padres vs. (1) Phillies

The Yankees and Orioles enter the homestretch battling for both the AL's No. 1 seed and the AL East crown with the Red Sox still holding onto some hope in the AL wild-card race. After spending much of the season comfortably ahead in the AL Central, the Guardians are trying to outlast the Royals and Twins for the division crown while the Astros attempt to separate themselves from the Mariners in a