The 2026 MLB regular season is wrapping up, but there's still lots to be decided in the playoff race - especially in the AL.
Before breaking down the odds for the team's on the cusp of the playoffs, let's take a look at the standings below:
AL Division Standings - As of Sep. 15
AL East
Team | Record | Games Back |
Tampa Bay Rays | 90-59 | - |
New York Yankees | 87-63 | 3.5 |
Boston Red Sox | 82-68 | 8.5 |
Toronto Blue Jays | 75-76 | 16 |
Baltimore Orioles | 73-78 | 18 |
AL Central
Team | Record | Games Back |
Chicago White Sox | 77-73 | - |
Cleveland Guardians | 76-75 | 1.5 |
Detroit Tigers | 71-79 | 6 |
Minnesota Twins | 70-80 | 7 |
Kansas City Royals | 66-84 | 11 |
AL West
Team | Record | Games Back |
Houston Astros | 75-75 | - |
Texas Rangers | 74-76 | 1 |
Seattle Mariners | 70-81 | 5.5 |
Athletics | 61-89 | 14 |
Los Angeles Angels | 57-93 | 18 |
AL Wild Card Standings
Team | Record | Games Back |
New York Yankees | 87-63 | +11.5 |
Boston Red Sox | 82-68 | +6.5 |
Cleveland Guardians | 76-75 | - |
Toronto Blue Jays | 75-76 | 1 |
Texas Rangers | 74-76 | 1.5 |
Baltimore Orioles | 73-78 | 3 |
Detroit Tigers | 71-79 | 4.5 |
The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox are battling for the AL Central crown, where the loser will have to hope they get the third and final Wild Card spot. It's the same story in the AL West, where the Houston Astros hold a slight lead over the Texas Rangers for the division lead.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have essentially clinched the first two Wild Card spots in the AL, leaving just one spot remaining for the teams that don't win their division. As of right now, the Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles are all within three games of each other, and only one of these teams will make the playoffs if the current division leaders stay the same.
Texas is actually closer to holding the AL West lead (one game back) compared to fighting for the third Wild Card spot (1.5 games back), but they won't have any more chances head-to-head against Houston for the rest of the season. Their series this weekend against the Blue Jays will be a massive one in this race.
Along with playing the Rangers, the Blue Jays will also play a three-game set against the Orioles before the season ends which could become a monumental one if Baltimore catches fire late.
Cleveland and the White Sox are in the midst of a three-game series right now with Chicago taking the first game. Both teams have light schedules to close (A's, Red Sox, Royals for Cleveland, Tigers, Royals, Rockies for Chicago), so the next two games of their series are must-wins for each team. If the Guardians somehow end up winning the Central, the White Sox are in prime position to get the final Wild Card.
Here's a look at the current odds for the AL bubble teams to make the playoffs on bet365:
AL Playoff Odds - As of Sep. 15
Chicago White Sox | -1500 |
Houston Astros | -450 |
Cleveland Guardians | -150 |
Texas Rangers | +170 |
Toronto Blue Jays | +175 |
Seattle Mariners | +2200 |
Baltimore Orioles | +2500 |
Detroit Tigers | +4000 |
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All odds written in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
