October is just around the corner. Wondering which teams will play in the 2021 MLB playoffs? Well, we are about to find out.
With the final leg of the major league season in full swing, teams are gearing up to clinch a postseason spot, be it a division crown and a direct trip to the division series, or one of the two. Wild card places to face an elimination game. Either way, pride and home advantage are at stake.
While the teams appear to have their divisions closed, the wild-card race is open and will likely come down to the last week, or even the last weekend, of the regular season, which ends Sunday, October 3. Or we could have some extra baseball on October 4 if there are playoffs going into the postseason.
Below, we take a look at the latest on playoff races in both the American League and the National League, starting with who has secured a postseason spot, who can secure next week and the next series to watch. (Please check back every day as we continue to update the playoff image.)
Who has clinched a playoff spot?
Still no one.
Who can clinch a playoff spot next?
It would be the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are still locked in a battle with the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the NL West, but like the teams with the two best records in the majors so far this season, both are virtually assured of a playoff spot. , the only question is which team will go straight to the division series and which will face a wild card elimination game.
The Giants’ magic number to clinch at least one NL wild-card spot is just two – they can end with a win Monday night over the San Diego Padres, who are also in the running for a wild-card spot. .
Other teams close to securing a position
Speaking of the Dodgers, their magic number for a playoff spot is four. The Milwaukee Brewers’ magic number to clinch the NL Central is five.
Key series to watch this week
San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants: watch up.
Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners’ home: Seattle’s upset is now a legitimate wild-card threat, while Boston entered the week tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League wild-card chase. Boston could shake Seattle, or the Mariners could gain ground. Either way, any series between a pair of wild card contenders is crucial. As for the other AL wild-card hopefuls: Toronto is playing the Tampa Bay Rays who are in first place this week, which could slow the recent momentum of the Blue Jays, while the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics have what should be an easy series against last-place Baltimore Orioles and the lowly Kansas City Royals, respectively.
St. Louis Cardinals at the home of the New York Mets: As stated, any wild card matchup is a must see series. These teams start the week on the fringes of the NL wild-card race, meaning one could play as a spoiler for the other.
Playoff schedule
Wild card round (a single elimination game)
THE: Tuesday, Oct. 5
LN: Wednesday, Oct. 6
Divisional Series (best in five)
SDLA A & B
Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 7
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 8
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 10
Game 4: Monday, Oct. 11 *
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 13 *
SDLN A & B
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 8
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 9
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 11
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 12 *
Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 14 *
Championship Series (best in seven)
SCLA
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 15
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 16
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 18
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 19
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 20 *
Game 6: Friday, Oct. 22 *
Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 23 *
SCLN
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 16
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 17
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 19
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 20
Game 5: Thursday, Oct. 21 *
Game 6: Saturday, Oct. 23 *
Game 7: Sunday, Oct. 24 *
World Series (major in seven)
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 26
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 29
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 30
Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 31 *
Game 6: Tuesday, Nov. 2 *
Game 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3 *
* If required
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