{
  "id": 5096775,
  "title": "MLB standings 2026: Updated playoff bracket, magic numbers through Sept. 1",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/mlb-standings-2026-updated-playoff-bracket-magic-numbers-through-sept",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T13:38:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mlb-standings-2026-updated-playoff-133827776.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 MLB postseason, beginning in late September, will see 11 underdogs battling against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have returned to the top after back-to-back championships and a deadline trade for Tarik Skubal. While the Dodgers aren't unbeatable, all other teams will enter the postseason as some degree of underdog. The American League playoff bracket features the AL East's Rays and Yankees, the AL Central's White Sox and Guardians, the AL West's Astros and Rangers, and the AL Wild Card races between the Yankees, Guardians, Rangers, Orioles, Blue Jays, Twins, Mariners, Tigers, Royals, and Athletics. The National League's playoff bracket includes NL East's Braves and Phillies, NL Central's Brewers and Cubs, NL West's Dodgers and Padres, and NL Wild Card races between the Phillies, Cubs, Padres, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Cardinals, Pirates, Nationals, Reds, Mets, and Giants. No team has clinched a postseason berth yet, with the magic numbers indicating how close each team is to clinching their position.",
  "summary": "The chase for October is on. Follow along with the updated MLB standings, playoff bracket and magic numbers.",
  "key_points": [
    "11 underdogs will compete against Dodgers in 2026 MLB postseason",
    "AL East and AL Central feature top teams like Rays, Yankees, White Sox",
    "NL East and NL Central include Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Cubs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}