MLB Playoff Picture 2024: Phillies Among Saturday Bracket Clinching Scenarios

Five teams have already clinched postseason spots as the 2024 MLB regular season winds down, with three more teams eligible to join them on Saturday and Sunday.

The Philadelphia Phillies have already secured a postseason appearance, but the team could lock up a No. 1 finish in the NL East with a win over the New York Mets.

The Baltimore Orioles can also earn a postseason berth on Saturday, but the team will need some help. The Orioles must beat the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers have to defeat the Seattle Mariners in order for Baltimore to clinch a playoff spot.

The Houston Astros currently own a five-game lead over the Mariners for the AL West lead. The Astros can secure a division crown with wins on Saturday and Sunday combined with losses by Seattle on both days.

Houston is the only division-leading team that has not clinched a playoff spot yet.

With a walk-off win on Thursday, the Cleveland Guardians punched a ticket to the postseason.

Sitting at 90-65 with a 7.5-game lead over the Kansas City Royals, the Guardians can record their second division title in three years with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals or a loss by the Royals on Saturday.

The San Diego Padres can clinch a postseason spot on Sunday, although the team will need some help. The Padres must go 2-0 over their next two games along with the Mets and Atlanta Braves both losing one of their next two contests. If San Diego goes 1-1, it can still earn a playoff berth if New York and Atlanta both finish 0-2 over the same span.

In the American League Wild Card race, the Orioles, Royals, and Twins occupy the three spots. With a record of 80-74, the Tigers are just one game behind Minnesota and still have eight games to play. The Mariners aren't that far behind, sitting at 79-75.

As for the National League Wild Card picture, the Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks hold the first two slots. The Mets have been able to jump into the third spot with a strong finish to the season, but they only hold a narrow two-game lead over the Braves with a three-game series between the two teams starting on Tuesday.

The postseason race is heating up, and several teams could secure their playoff positioning with strong performances on Saturday.