During the final week of the MLB regular season, some teams are already thinking about October while others are locked in tight pennant races.

The Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves all have clinched postseason spots.

The Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are also on their ways to securing playoff spots in the coming days.

Beyond those top teams, there are many storylines to watch down the stretch: Where do current playoff matchups stand? Which games should you be watching each day leading up to October? Who will clinch next? And what does the playoff schedule look like?

Here's everything you need to know for the homestretch.

Key links: Standings | Wild-card standings

Jump to: Bracket | Next to clinch | AL odds | NL odds | Key games

What are the current MLB playoff matchups?

American League

Wild-card round: (6) White Sox at (3) Rangers, (5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees

ALDS: White Sox/Rangers vs. (2) Guardians, Red Sox/Yankees vs. (1) Rays

National League

Wild-card round: (6) Phillies at (3) Braves, (5) Padres at (4) Cubs

NLDS: Phillies/Braves vs. (2) Dodgers, Padres/Cubs vs. (1) Brewers

Who can clinch a playoff spot next?

The Cubs, Red Sox and Phillies all could clinch spots this weekend.

Breaking down the AL race

The Rays and Yankees are battling for the AL East crown with the Red Sox also very likely to be playing in October. The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians are in a tight race for the AL Central title, and the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are part of a muddled AL West and wild-card picture.

And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Breaking down the NL race

The Brewers and Dodgers have both clinched their divisions, while the Braves also have a comfortable division lead. The Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres hold the three wild-card spots.

And what about when these teams get to the playoffs? Here's what their chances are for every round:

Games to watch

Looking for something to watch today? Here are the playoff implications of every MLB matchup

Playoff schedule

Here's the 2026 MLB postseason schedule, from the wild-card round through the World Series.

Wild-card series

Best of three

Tuesday, Sept. 29
ALWC A, Game 1
ALWC B, Game 1
NLWC A, Game 1
NLWC B, Game 1

Wednesday, Sept. 30
ALWC A, Game 2
ALWC B, Game 2
NLWC A, Game 2
NLWC B, Game 2

Thursday, Oct. 1
ALWC A, Game 3 *
ALWC B, Game 3 *
NLWC A, Game 3 *
NLWC B, Game 3 *

* If necessary

Division series

​Best of five

Saturday, Oct. 3
ALDS A, Game 1
ALDS B, Game 1
NLDS A, Game 1
NLDS B, Game 1

Sunday, Oct. 4
NLDS A, Game 2
NLDS B, Game 2

Monday, Oct. 5
ALDS A, Game 2
ALDS B, Game 2

Tuesday, Oct. 6
NLDS A, Game 3
NLDS B, Game 3

Wednesday, Oct. 7
ALDS A, Game 3
ALDS B, Game 3
NLDS A, Game 4*
NLDS B, Game 4*

Thursday, Oct. 8
ALDS A, Game 4*
ALDS B, Game 4*

Friday, Oct. 9
NLDS A, Game 5*
NLDS B, Game 5*

Saturday, Oct. 10
ALDS A, Game 5*
ALDS B, Game 5*

* If necessary

League championship series

Best of seven

Sunday, Oct. 11
NLCS Game 1

Monday, Oct. 12
ALCS Game 1
NLCS Game 2

Tuesday, Oct. 13
ALCS Game 2

Wednesday, Oct. 14
NLCS Game 3

Thursday, Oct. 15
ALCS Game 3
NLCS Game 4

Friday, Oct. 16
ALCS Game 4
NLCS Game 5*

Saturday, Oct. 17
ALCS Game 5*

Sunday, Oct. 18
NLCS Game 6*

Monday, Oct. 19
ALCS Game 6*
NLCS Game 7*

Tuesday, Oct. 20
ALCS Game 7*

* If necessary

World Series

Best of seven

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 28*
Game 6: Friday, Oct. 30*
Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 31*

* If necessary