2024 MLB playoff tracker: Schedule, clinching scenarios, bracket

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

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies have opened comfortable leads in the National League while the New York Yankees,Baltimore OriolesandCleveland Guardiansall 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.

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

Who can clinch a playoff spot next?

The New York Yankees have a magic number of three; they can clinch a postseason spot on Wednesday. The Cleveland Guardians' magic number is four; they can also clinch a spot on Wednesday.

In the NL, the Philadelphia Phillies' magic number to clinch the postseason is three; their magic number to clinch the NL East is five. The Milwaukee Brewers' magic number to clinch the NL central is three. The Dodgers have a magic number of four. The Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers all can clinch the postseason as soon as tomorrow.

What are this October's MLB playoff matchups as it stands now?

American League

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

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

National League

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

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

Tiebreakers

If L.A. and Philadelphia tie for best record, the Phillies would get the top seed because of a better head-to-head record against the Dodgers this season.

Head-to-head season series would determine No. 1 AL seed if Cleveland finishes season tied with the AL East champ for league's best record: Guardians over Orioles; Yankees over Guardians.

If Yankees, Orioles and Guardians all finish with the same record, Baltimore would get the AL's top seed by virtue of intradivision record among the three teams.

If Baltimore and New York finish in a two-team tie, the Orioles currently hold the AL East tiebreaker because they lead the Yankees, 6-4, in the head-to-head season series (with three games remaining).

If Atlanta and New York tie, the Mets currently hold the final NL playoff spot by virtue of a better intradivision record since the teams are tied at 5-5 in the head-to-head season series (with three games remaining).

Breaking down the AL race

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 two-team AL West race.

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Breaking down the NL race

Five teams have separated themselves atop the NL standings with theAtlanta BravesandNew York Metsbattlingfor the final playoff spot. The Phillies and Brewers are seemingly cruising to division titles. The Dodgers have opened up a lead in the NL West race, with the D-backs and Padres both also very likely to join L.A. in the postseason field.

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Game of the day

Looking for something to watch today? Here's the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:

Playoff schedule

Wild-card series

Best of three, all games at better seed's stadium

Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 1

Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 2

Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 3*

Division series

Best of five

ALDS

Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5

Game 2: Monday, Oct. 7

Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 9

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 10*

Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 12*

NLDS

Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 5

Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 6

Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 8

Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 9*

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 11*

League championship series

Best of seven

ALCS

Game 1: Monday, Oct. 14

Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 15

Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 17

Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18

Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 19*

Game 6: Monday, Oct. 21*

Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 22*

NLCS

Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 13

Game 2: Monday, Oct. 14

Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 17

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 18*

Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 20*

Game 7: Monday, Oct. 21*

World Series

Best of seven

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28

Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29

Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 30*

Game 6: Friday, Nov. 1*

Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 2*

Note: If both LCS end by Oct. 19 -- meaning neither series lasts longer than five games -- the World Series will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22

* If necessary