Red Sox Clinch 2026 MLB Playoff Berth and Braves Win Division, Updated Bracket Picture and Standings

The Boston Red Sox have come a long way from a 10-17 start that resulted in major changes to the coaching staff.

Under the watch of interim manager Chad Tracy, the Red Sox secured a 2026 MLB playoff berth. At 85-72, they're on track to finish in one of the American League's three wild-card positions.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves also clinched the National League East on Sunday.

American League Division Standings

East	W	L	GB
Tampa Bay Rays*	95	60	0.0
New York Yankees*	89	65	5.5
Boston Red Sox*	84	72	11
Toronto Blue Jays	76	79	19
Baltimore Orioles	75	80	20

Central	W	L	GB
Cleveland Guardians	80	75	0.0
Chicago White Sox	79	76	1
Detroit Tigers	73	82	7
Minnesota Twins	72	83	8
Kansas City Royals	67	89	13.5

West	W	L	GB
Texas Rangers	78	77	0.0
Houston Astros	77	79	1.5
Seattles Mariners	72	83	7
Athletics	61	94	17
Los Angeles Angels	60	95	18

American League Wild-Card Standings

Team	GB
New York Yankees*	+10.5
Boston Red Sox*	+5
Chicago White Sox	0
--------------------
Houston Astros	2
Toronto Blue Jays	3
Baltimore Orioles	4
Detroit Tigers	6
Seattle Mariners	7
Minnesota Twins	7

National League Division Standings

East	W	L	GB
Atlanta Braves**	92	64	0.0
Philadelphia Phillies	86	70	6
Miami Marlins	76	79	15.5
Washington Nationals	73	83	19
New York Mets	71	85	21

Central	W	L	GB
Milwaukee Brewers*	97	58	0.0
Chicago Cubs	87	69	10.5
Pittsburgh Pirates	79	77	18.5
St. Louis Cardinals	76	80	21.5
Cincinnati Reds	72	84	25.5

West	W	L	GB
Los Angeles Dodgers**	95	60	0.0
San Diego Padres	86	69	9
Arizona Diamondbacks	81	74	14
San Francisco Giants	64	91	31
Colorado Rockies	57	98	38

National League Wild-Card Standings

Team	GB
Chicago Cubs	+1
San Diego Padres	+0.5
Philadelphia Phillies	0
--------------------
Arizona Diamondbacks	3

*Indicates clinched playoff spot

**Indicates clinched division

The fan sentiment couldn't have been much lower in late April, when Alex Cora got the boot.

The team had never matched the heights of Cora's first year in the dugout. Boston failed to notch 100-plus wins and missed the playoffs in fourth of his next six seasons in charge.

Still, many came to the conclusion that the Red Sox were suffering from problems that went far beyond the manager.

There was a sense that ownership was far too detached from the organization and unwilling to invest. This is the fourth straight year the Sox have had an Opening Day payroll outside of the top 10.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reportedly wasn't a great communicator behind the scenes, and there was a divide between the front office and coaching staff on matters like player development and squad management.

If you had polled followers of the Red Sox in the immediate aftermath of Cora's ouster, most would've probably predicted the team to miss the playoffs. Boston was 10 games under .500 (37-47) as recently as June 30.

But the torrid run the Sox had to close out the first half carried on past the All-Star break. They went from being a postseason long shot to a lock in the final month.

Boston's fate in October will likely rest squarely on the pitching staff.

Adley Rutschman has struggled since his trade from the Baltimore Orioles. Masataka Yoshida remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Willson Contreras picked up a hamstring issue of his own in September.

The Red Sox may not be able to count on their lineup to step up when it matters.

What they do have is a strong rotation and a battle-tested closer. Garrett Crochet is a massive wild card as well as he works his way back from shoulder trouble. Roki Sasaki was lights out for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a relief role in 2025, and it's easy to picture Boston utilizing Crochet in a similar way if he's healthy enough to pitch.

In all likelihood, the Sox will meet a playoff fate that reinforces their need to be aggressive in the offseason, a story that has played out many times in the past. At least the foundation looks much stronger now than it did in April.

For Atlanta, this will guarantee the team home-field advantage in the first round. Now, they'll have to play out the final week to see which round their postseason will begin.

The Braves currently trail the Milwaukee Brewers by five games in the win column and the Los Angeles Dodgers by three games in the win column. With just six games left to play, they will need to finish the year strong and get some help if they are going to get a first-round bye.

As of now, the Braves would be in line to host the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild card round.