MLB magic numbers, schedules, tiebreakers: Yankees gain on Rays; Dodgers passed for bye (9/3/26)
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The American League East race got a little closer Wednesday with the second-place Yankees winning on the West Coast after the first-place Rays dropped the rubber game to the Mets at home.
In Anaheim, Calif., Austin Wells laced a two-out, two-run tiebreaking single in a five-run 10th inning for the Yankees, who held on for a 6-3 win over the Angels to slice the Rays’ division lead to 3 ½ games.
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Yankees starter Cam Schlittler allowed one run and two hits over eight innings to lower his league-best ERA to 2.04, the Angels run coming on a game-tying, seventh-inning homer by Vaughn Grissom.
In St. Petersburg, Fla., the Mets scored three runs in the first and third innings facing Rays starter Griffin Jax in a 10-4 romp.
Elsewhere …
-- In Los Angeles, Yoshinobu Yamamoto took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Freddie Freeman hit a first-inning, three-run homer, but the NL West-leading Dodgers lost to the Cardinals 8-6 in 10 innings. The loss dropped the Dodgers a half-game behind the Braves for the second seed in the NL playoffs, which brings a first-round bye.
-- In Washington, D.C., Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a three-run homer to reach 200 for his career in a 9-0 Braves win over the Nationals that stretched their NL East lead to four games.
-- In Phoenix, James McCann hit an eighth-inning leadoff homer in a 1-0 Diamondbacks win over the Phillies. Arizona jumped the Padres by a half-game for the last NL wild-card spot, while the Phillies stayed a half-game ahead of the Cubs for the first NL wild-card berth and dropped to four games behind the NL East-leading Braves.
-- In Chicago, the Brewers stretched their NL Central lead over the second-place Cubs to nine games with a 9-5 win at Wrigley Field despite ace Jacob Misiorowski allowing more than three earned runs for the first time in 26 starts this season in a four-inning, five-run no-decision.
-- In Cleveland, the Blue Jays gained ground in their AL wild-card chase with Vladimir Guerrero hitting a three-run homer and driving in five runs in an 11-0 win over the Guardians. The Guardians have a 1.5 game hold on the last AL wild card spot over the Blue Jays, Orioles and Rangers.
-- In Boston, the Mariners scored four runs in the third and sixth innings in an 8-3 victory over the Red Sox, who still have a 4 ½-game lead for the second AL wild-card position despite dropping four of their last five. The Mariners are 4 ½ games behind the Guardians for the last AL wild-card spot.
-- In Houston, Nelson Velazquez had a bases-loaded, two-run single in the eighth inning for the Astros, who blanked the White Sox 2-0 in a duel between division leaders. The Astros’ AL West lead over the Rangers increased to two games. while the White Sox stayed three games ahead of the Guardians for first in the AL. Central.
-- In Kansas City, the Marlins were down 5-2 after one inning before rallying for a 9-6 win over the Royals. Miami trails Arizona by 3 ½ games for the last NL wild-card spot.
-- In Arlington, Texas, Athletics rookie center fielder Henry Bolte was 3 for 4 with two homers and four RBI in a 9-2 win over the Rangers, who stayed 1 ½ games out of a playoff spot.
-- In Denver, Brett Sullivan’s two-run, two-out walk-off single capped a three-run 11th inning for the Rockies in a 6-5 win over the Orioles, who remained 1 ½ games out of a playoff position.
-- In Pittsburgh, Rafael Devers homered and the Giants scored two 10th-inning runs in a 5-4 win over the Pirates, who are 5 ½ games out of an NL wild-card spot.
-- In Cincinnati, rookie Juan Brito’s first career homer was a game-tying, three-run blast in the third inning of a 7-3 Reds win over the Padres, who fell out of a playoff position by losing the rubber game of a three-game set.
-- In Minneapolis, Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer in a five-run 12th inning for the Tigers, who beat the Twins 11-6 for their third win in 14 games. The Twins remained 3 ½ games out of a playoff position while the long-shot Tigers are 6 ½ games back.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules for the contenders through Wednesday, Sept. 2, along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Thursday, Sept. 3:
AL EAST
TAMPA BAY RAYS (83-56)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Yankees 3.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Season series with Red Sox tied 5-5; Rays lead season series with Yankees 6-3.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 20
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 9
Games remaining: 24 (9 home, 14 road).
Rays schedule:
Sept. 3-6: at Rangers (4)
Sept. 8-10: at Braves (3)
Sept. 11-13: Astros (3)
Sept. 15-17: Athletics (3)
Sept. 18-20: Red Sox (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Yankees (4)
Sept. 25-27: at Phillies (3)
NEW YORK YANKEES (80-60)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 3.5 games. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Red Sox by 5 games for first AL wild card. Lead Blue Jays, Orioles and Rangers by 11 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees trail season series with Rays 6-3; Yankees trail season series Red Sox 5-4.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 12
Games remaining: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Yankees schedule:
Sept. 4-6: at Padres (3)
Sept. 8-10: Rockies (3)
Sept. 11-13: Mets (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Twins (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 22-24: Rays (4)
Sept. 25-27: Orioles (3)
BOSTON RED SOX (75-65)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 8.5 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Trail Yankees by 5 games for first AL wild card.
Lead Blue Jays, Orioles and Rangers by 6 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Season series with Rays tied 5-5; Red Sox lead season series with Yankees 5-5.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 17
Games remaining: 22 (12 home, 10 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Sept. 3-6: at Orioles (4)
Sept. 7-9: Angels (3)
Sept. 12-13: Royals (3)
Sept. 15-17: at Rangers (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Rays (3)
Sept. 22-24: Guardians (3)
Sept. 25-27: Cubs (3)
ORIOLES (69-71)
Standings: Fourth in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 15 games. Tied with Blue Jays and Rangers for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Orioles won season series with Astros 5-1; Orioles trail season series with Blue Jays 4-3; Orioles lost season series with Mariners 4-3; Orioles lost season series with Rangers 4-2; Orioles trail season series with Red Sox 5-4.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 22
Games remaining: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Orioles schedule:
Sept. 3-6: Red Sox (4)
Sept. 7-9: Guardians (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 15-16: at Mets (3)
Sept. 18-20: Brewers (3)
Sept. 21-23: Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Yankees (3)
BLUE JAYS (69-71)
Standings: Fifth in AL East. Trail first-place Rays by 15.5 games. Tied with Orioles and Rangers for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays season series with Guardians tied 2-2; Blue Jays trail season series with Rangers 4-0; Blue Jays trail season series with Mariners 2-1; Blue Jays lead season series 4-3; Blue Jays split season series with Astros 3-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 22
Games remaining: 22 (9 home, 13 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Sept. 3: at Guardians (1)
Sept. 4-6: at Royals (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Athletics (3)
Sept. 11-13: Orioles (3)
Sept. 14-16: Tigers (3)
Sept. 19-21: at Rangers (3)
Sept. 21-23: at Orioles (3)
Sept. 25-27: Reds (3)
AL CENTRAL
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (73-66)
Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place Guardians by 3 games.
Tiebreakers: White Sox lost season series with Astros 4-2; White Sox won season series with Blue Jays 5-1; White Sox lead season series with Guardians 6-4; White Sox split season series with Mariners 3-3; White Sox lost season series to Yankees 4-3; White Sox lost season series to Rays 4-2; White Sox lost season series to Red Sox 6-0; White Sox lead season series with Tigers 6-3; White Sox lead season series with Twins 6-3.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 21
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 19
Remaining games: 23 (13 home, 10 road).
White Sox schedule:
Sept. 3: at Astros (1)
Sept. 5-6: Twins (3)
Sept. 8-10: Pirates (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Cardinals (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Guardians (3)
Sept. 17-20: Tigers (4)
Sept. 22-24: at Royals (3)
Sept. 25-27: Rockies (3)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (70-69)
Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place White Sox by 3 games. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Blue Jays, Orioles and Rangers by 2 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Guardians season series with Blue Jays tied 2-2; Guardians won season series with Mariners 4-3; Guardians lead season series with Orioles 3-1; Guardians lost lead season series with Rangers 4-2; Guardians trail season series with Red Sox 2-1; Guardians trail season series with Twins 6-4; Guardians trail season series with White Sox 6-4.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 22
Remaining games: 23 (11 home, 12 road).
Guardians schedule:
Sept. 3: Blue Jays (1)
Sept. 4-6: Tigers (4)
Sept. 7-9: at Orioles (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Twins (3)
Sept. 14-16: White Sox (3)
Sept. 18-20: Athletics (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Red Sox (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Royals (3)
MINNESOTA TWINS (67-73)
Standings: Third in AL Central. Trail first-place White Sox by 7 games. Seventh in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 3.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Twins won season series with Astros 4-2; Twins lead season series with Guardians 6-4; Twins lead season series with Rangers 3-0; Twins trail season series with White Sox 6-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 20
Remaining games: 22 (9 home, 13 road).
Twins schedule:
Sept. 4-6: at White Sox (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Tigers (3)
Sept. 11-13: Guardians (3)
Sept. 14-16: Yankees (3)
Sept. 17-20: at Angels (4)
Sept. 21-23: at Giants (3)
Sept. 25-27: Rangers (3)
DETROIT TIGERS (64-75)
Standings: Fourth in AL Central. Trail first-place White Sox by 9 games. Ninth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 6 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Tigers lost season series with Astros 5-2; Tigers trail season series with Guardians 7-2; Tigers trail season series with White Sox 6-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 18
Remaining games: 23 (12 home, 11 road).
Tigers schedule:
Sept. 4-6: at Guardians (4)
Sept. 7-9: Twins (3)
Sept. 11-13: Rockies (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 17-20: at White Sox (4)
Sept. 21-23: Nationals (3)
Sept. 25-27: Tigers (3)
AL WEST
HOUSTON ASTROS (71-69)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead second-place Rangers by 2 games.
Tiebreakers: Astros lost season series with Mariners 9-2; Astros lost season series with Orioles 5-1; Astros won season series with Rangers 9-4; Astros lost season series with Red Sox 5-1; Astros won season series with White Sox 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: 21
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 21
Remaining games: 22 (10 home, 12 road).
Astros schedule:
Sept. 3: White Sox (1)
Sept. 4-6: Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 8-10: at Phillies (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Rays (3)
Sept. 15-17: Royals (3)
Sept. 18-20: Braves (3)
Sept. 22-23: at Mariners (2)
Sept. 24-27: at Athletics (4)
TEXAS RANGERS (69-71)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Astros by 2 games. Tied with Blue Jays and Rangers for fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Rangers lost season series with Astros 9-4; Rangers lead season series with Mariners 7-3; Rangers won lead season series with Guardians 4-2; Rangers lead season series with Blue Jays 4-0.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 22
Remaining games: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Rangers schedule:
Sept. 3-6: Rays (4)
Sept. 8-10: at Mariners (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 15-17: Red Sox (3)
Sept. 18-20: Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 22-24: Mets (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Twins (3)
SEATTLE MARINERS (66-74)
Standings: Third in AL West. Trail first-place Astros by 5 games. Eighth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Guardians by 4.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Mariners won season series with Astros 9-2; Mariners trail season series with Rangers 7-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 19
Remaining games: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Mariners schedule:
Sept. 3-6: Athletics (4)
Sept. 8-10: Rangers (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Athletics (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Angels (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Rockies (3)
Sept. 22-23: Astros (2)
Sept. 24-27: Angels (4)
NL EAST
ATLANTA BRAVES (83-57)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Phillies by 4 games.
Tiebreakers: Braves lead season series with Phillies 5-1; Braves lead season series with Dodgers 2-1.
Magic number to clinch NL East: 19
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 15
Remaining games: 22 (9 home, 13 road).
Braves schedule:
Sept. 4-7: at Phillies (4)
Sept. 8-10: Rays (3)
Sept. 11-13: Phillies (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Cubs (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Astros (3)
Sept. 22-24: Reds (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Marlins (3)
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (79-61)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Braves by 4 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Cubs by 1 game for first NL wild card. Lead Padres by 6 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Phillies trail season series with Braves 5-1; Phillies lost season series with Cubs 6-1; Phillies split season series with Diamondbacks 3-3; Phillies won season series with Padres 6-0.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 17
Remaining games: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Phillies schedule:
Sept. 4-7: Braves (4)
Sept. 8-10: Astros (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Braves (3)
Sept. 15-16: at Nationals (2)
Sept. 17-20: at Mets (4)
Sept. 22-24: Brewers (3)
Sept. 25-27: Rays (3)
MIAMI MARLINS (71-69)
Standings: Third in NL East. Trail first-place Braves by 12 games. Fifth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Diamondbacks by 2.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 20
Remaining games: 22 (12 home, 10 road).
Marlins schedule:
Sept. 3: at Royals (1)
Sept. 4-6: Cubs (3)
Sept. 7-9: Mets (3)
Sept. 11-13: Dodgers (3)
Sept. 14-16: at Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Padres (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Cubs (3)
Sept. 26-28: Braves (3)
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (87-53)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 9 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers lead season series with Cubs 6-3; Brewers win season series with Dodgers 4-3.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: 14
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 9
Remaining games: 22 (9 home, 13 road).
Brewers schedule:
Sept. 3: at Cubs (1)
Sept. 4-6: at Reds (3)
Sept. 7-9: Cubs (3)
Sept. 11-13: Reds (3)
Sept. 15-17: at Pirates (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Orioles (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Phillies (3)
Sept. 25-27: Cardinals (3)
CHICAGO CUBS (78-62)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 9 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Trail Phillies by 1 game for 1st NL wild card; Lead Padres by 5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs trail season series with Brewers 6-3; Cubs won season series with Phillies 6-1; Cubs won season series with Padres 5-1; Cubs trail season series with Diamondbacks 3-0.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 18
Remaining games: 22 (10 home, 12 road).
Cubs schedule:
Sept. 3: Brewers (1)
Sept. 4-5: at Marlins (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Brewers (3)
Sept. 11-13: Pirates (3)
Sept. 14-16: Braves (3)
Sept. 18-20: at Reds (3)
Sept. 22-24: Marlins (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Red Sox (3)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (70-70)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 17 games. Sixth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Diamondbacks by 3.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 19
Remaining games: 22 (9 home, 13 road).
Cardinals schedule:
Sept. 3: at Dodgers (1)
Sept. 4-6: at Rockies (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Giants (3)
Sept. 11-13: White Sox (3)
Sept. 14-16: Giants (3)
Sept. 18-20: Nationals (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Pirates (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Brewers (3)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (68-72)
Standings: Fourth in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 19 games. Seventh in NL wild-card standings. Trail Diamondbacks by 5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 17
Remaining games: 22 (13 home, 9 road).
Pirates schedule:
Sept. 3: Giants (1)
Sept. 4-6: Angels (3)
Sept. 8-10: at White Sox (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Cubs (3)
Sept. 15-17: Brewers (3)
Sept. 18-20: Royals (3)
Sept. 22-24: Cardinals (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Tigers (3)
CINCINNATI REDS (67-73)
Standings: Fifth in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 20 games. Eighth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Diamondbacks by 6.5 games for third NL wild card.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 16
Remaining games: 22 (10 home, 12 road).
Reds schedule:
Sept. 4-6: Brewers (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Dodgers (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Brewers (3)
Sept. 14-17: Dodgers (4)
Sept. 18-20: Cubs (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Braves (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Blue Jays (3)
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (82-57)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Diamondbacks by 9 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers trail season series with Braves 2-1; Dodgers lost season series with Brewers 4-3; Dodgers lost season series with Diamondbacks 7-6; Dodgers lead season series with Padres 7-3;
Magic number to clinch NL West: 14
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 14
Remaining games: 23 (13 home, 10 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Sept. 3: Cardinals (1)
Sept. 4-6: Nationals (3)
Sept. 7-9: Reds (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Marlins (3)
Sept. 14-17: at Reds (4)
Sept. 18-20: Giants (3)
Sept. 22-24: Padres (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Giants (3)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (74-67)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 9 games. Third in NL wild-card standings. Lead Padres by 0.5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Season series with Diamondbacks tied 5-5; Diamondbacks won season series with Dodgers 7-6; Diamondbacks split season series with Phillies 3-3; Diamondbacks trail season series with Cubs 3-0.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 22
Remaining games: 21 (9 home, 12 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Sept. 4-6: at Astros (3)
Sept. 7-9: at Royals (3)
Sept. 11-13: Rangers (3)
Sept. 14-16: Marlins (3)
Sept. 18-20: Yankees (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Rockies (3)
Sept. 25-27: at Padres (3)
SAN DIEGO PADRES (73-67)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 9.5 games. Fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Diamondbacks by 0.5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres trail season series with Dodgers 7-3; Season series with Diamondbacks tied 5-5; Padres lost season series with Phillies 6-0; Padres lost season series with Cubs 5-1.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 22
Remaining games: 22 (12 home, 10 road).
Padres schedule:
Sept. 4-6: Yankees (3)
Sept. 7-9: Nationals (3)
Sept. 11-13: at Giants (3)
Sept. 14-17: at Rockies (4)
Sept. 18-20: Marlins (3)
Sept. 22-24: at Dodgers (3)
Sept. 25-27: Diamondbacks (3)
CURRENT POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Rays (1), White Sox (2) byes
Guardians (6) at Astros (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Braves (2) byes
Diamondbacks (6) at Dodgers (3)
Cubs (5) at Phillies (4)
Note: Higher seed will host all Wild Card Series games (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1).
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