Are Clayton Kershaw and Roki Sasaki the answer to Dodgers bullpen issues?
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale breaks down the recent performances by Clayton Kershaw and Roki Sasaki out of the bullpen for the Dodgers.
Sports Pulse
Major League Baseball‘s 2025 campaign is set for a dramatic finale, entering the final weekend of the regular season with playoff spots and division crowns still up for grabs.
The Yankees and Blue Jays have both clinched postseason spots but will fight for the American League East title over the final three games. The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers will also be scoreboard-watching this weekend as the AL Central rivals jockey for the division title and a wild card spot.
The NL’s final wild card is still undecided, with the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks all trying to win the lone remaining postseason berth. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have clinched postseason spots, but this weekend’s results will decide which team hosts the best-of-three wild card series next week.
Here’s a look at the latest MLB standings and playoff picture:
Entering play Friday, Sept. 26MLB playoff bracket if season ended todayAmerican LeagueByes: Blue Jays, MarinersAL wild card seriesTigers at GuardiansRed Sox at YankeesNational LeagueByes: Brewers, PhilliesNL wild card seriesMets at DodgersPadres at CubsAL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (91-68): // clinched postseason berthBoston Red Sox (87-72) +1 gameDetroit Tigers (86-73)Houston Astros (85-74): 1 GBNL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (89-70): +7 games // clinched postseason berthSan Diego Padres (87-72): +5 games // clinched postseason berthNew York Mets (82–77)Cincinnati Reds (81-78): 1 GBArizona Diamondbacks (80-79): 2 GBAL EastToronto Blue Jays (91-68) – clinched postseason berth // holds head-to-head-tiebreaker vs. YankeesNew York Yankees (91-68) – clinched postseason berthAL CentralCleveland Guardians (86-73) – holds head-to-head tiebreaker vs. TigersDetroit Tigers (86-73)AL WestSeattle Mariners (90-69) – clinched AL West titleHouston Astros (85-74)NL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (94-65) – clinched NL East titleNew York Mets (82-77)NL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (96-63) – clinched NL Central titleChicago Cubs (89-70) – clinched postseason berthNL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (90-69) – clinched NL West titleSan Diego Padres (87-72): 3 GB – clinched postseason berth
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.