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Sports Seriously

Coming out of Labor Day weekend, Major League Baseball‘s playoff races look a lot more interesting than they did just a week ago.

The American League wild card standings have tightened, with the Rangers’ six-game winning streak vaulting Texas to fourth place, chasing down the Seattle Mariners who cling to the third and final postseason spot.

In the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs carved a few games out of the Brewers’ division lead over the past two weeks and while a comeback probably isn’t the cards, they’re in good position to make Milwaukee sweat a bit into September.

Here’s a look at the latest MLB standings:

AL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

New York Yankees (76-61): +3.5 gamesBoston Red Sox (77-62): +2.5 gamesSeattle Mariners (73-65)Texas Rangers (72-67): 1.5 games backKansas City Royals (70-67): 2.5 GBCleveland Guardians (68-68): 4 GBTampa Bay Rays (68-69): 4.5 GBNL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

Chicago Cubs (78-59): +5 gamesSan Diego Padres (76-61): +3 gamesNew York Mets (73–64)Cincinnati Reds (69-68): 4 games backSan Francisco Giants (66-69): 5 GBArizona Diamondbacks (68-70): 5.5 GBSt. Louis Cardinals (68-70): 5.5 GBAL EastToronto Blue Jays (79-59)New York Yankees (76-61): 2,5 games backBoston Red Sox (77-62): 3.5 GBAL CentralDetroit Tigers (80-59)Kansas City Royals (70-67): 9 GBAL WestHouston Astros (75-62)Seattle Mariners (73-65): 3 GBTexas Rangers (72-67): 4.5 GBNL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (80-58)New York Mets (74-64): 6 GBNL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (85-54)Chicago Cubs (79-59): 5.5 GBNL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (78-59)San Diego Padres (76-62): 2.5 GBMLB playoff bracket if season ended todayAmerican LeagueByes to ALDS: Tigers, Blue JaysWild Card SeriesSeattle Mariners at Houston AstrosNew York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox (Boston wins tiebreaker)American LeagueByes to NLDS: Brewers, PhilliesWild Card SeriesNew York Mets at Los Angeles DodgersSan Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs