Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge going for history as AL playoff picture continues to form
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques breaks down the storylines to watch in the AL as the MLB seasons winds down.
Sports Pulse
Entering the final week of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, playoff berths are still up for grabs with a pair of longtime postseason shoo-ins suddenly in danger of missing out.
The Cleveland Guardians trailed the Tigers by 11 games in the American League Central on Sept. 4, but reeled off a 10-game winning streak and enter Monday, Sept. 22 just one game back in the division as Detroit has lost nine of its last 10. In the National League, the New York Mets had held a postseason spot since early April, but lost two of three over the weekend against the lowly Washington Nationals, falling behind the Cincinnati Reds for the final wild-card spot.
Cleveland hosts Detroit for a three-game set beginning Tuesday at Progressive Field, with the Tigers needing a sweep to clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Guardians’ ascent also shook up the AL wild-card standings with the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros needing to fight them off as well.
Here’s a look at the latest standings and playoff picture:
Updated 8:45 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 21MLB playoff bracket if season ended todayAmerican LeagueByes: Blue Jays, MarinersAL wild card seriesAstros at TigersRed Sox at YankeesNational LeagueByes: Brewers, PhilliesNL wild card seriesReds at DodgersPadres at CubsAL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (88-68): +3.5 gamesBoston Red Sox (85-70) + 1 gameHouston Astros (84-71)Cleveland Guardians (84-72): holds head-to-head tiebreaker vs. HoustonTexas Rangers (79-77): 5.5 GBKansas City Royals (78-78): 6.5 GBNL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (88-68): +8 games // clinched postseason berthSan Diego Padres (85-71): +5 gamesCincinnati Reds (80-76): holds head-to-head tiebreaker vs. MetsNew York Mets (80–76)Arizona Diamondbacks (79-77): 1 GBSan Francisco Giants (77-79): 3 GBSt. Louis Cardinals (76-80): 4 GBAL EastToronto Blue Jays (89-66) – clinched postseason berthNew York Yankees (87-68): 2 games backBoston Red Sox (85-70): 4 GBAL CentralDetroit Tigers (85-71)Cleveland Guardians (84-72): 1 GBKansas City Royals (78-78): 7 GBAL WestSeattle Mariners (86-69)Houston Astros (84-71): 2 GBTexas Rangers (79-75): 7 GBNL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (92-64) – clinched NL East titleNew York Mets (80-76)NL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (95-61) – clinched NL Central titleChicago Cubs (88-68)NL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (88-68) – clinched postseason berthSan Diego Padres (85-71): 3 GB
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