2023 MLB Playoff Picture: The Brewers Have Clinched The NL Central

We’re another day closer to the MLB postseason.

The regular season will conclude on Sunday, and then by Tuesday, we’ll have four Wild Card games on the MLB slate.

The Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers already clinched their divisions in the National League. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins have already earned the AL Central.

But we’re still waiting on the AL East, AL West, and many Wild Card spots in both conferences.

Check below to see what the 2023 MLB Playoff picture looks like heading into Wednesday’s MLB matchups.

NL Central

The Milwaukee Brewers earned the NL Central last night after the Chicago Cubs blew a six-run lead against the Braves on the road. Although the Brewers lost, Milwaukee celebrated the NL Central pennant with that Cubs loss.

NL Wild Card Race

The Philadelphia Phillies just clinched an NL Wild Card spot last night. The Phillies will ultimately be locked into the first NL Wild Card spot.

With that, there are still two more NL Wild Card spots that remain.

After the Cubs lost to the Braves, the Diamondbacks are now standing alone for that second NL Wild Card spot after their dominant win over the White Sox. It’s time to be worried about the Chicago Cubs standings.

The Marlins were excited to see the Cubs lose, too.

Miami’s matchup against the Mets was postponed on Tuesday. They’ll play a doubleheader against the Mets today. That doubleheader will be crucial, too, with the Marlins only .5 games out of the final Wild Card spot.

Miami can get into the top three Wild Card spots with a sweep and a Cubs loss tonight.

Finally, the Reds are only 1.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot after their win against the Guardians. Cincinnati scored 11 runs and had 10 hits in the win.

MLB NL Playoff Picture Odds

Four teams are within less than three games of one another in the NL Wild Card race.

However, only two of those four MLB teams can make the playoffs.

The Diamondbacks are sitting at -1400 to make the playoffs after their win last night. Meanwhile, the Cubs are now sitting at +140 to make the playoffs after their six-run blown lead against the Braves.

Behind the Diamondbacks and the Cubs are the Marlins, sitting at -150 to make the playoffs, using the MLB betting lines. Lastly, the Reds have the worst probability, at +600. But they’re far from out of the race. Yesterday, the Reds were +1200. So they’re inching up in the MLB standings.

The Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Marlins are all sitting with a higher probability than 50% of making the playoffs. However, one of those teams won’t make it into the 2023 MLB Playoff picture.

Meanwhile, the Padres and Giants are still technically in the race. But those two teams are massive long shots at this point. Both have losing records heading into Wednesday’s games.

AL East

The Baltimore Orioles still lead the Rays by 2.5 games in the AL East. The Orioles earned a 1-0 win over the Nationals to stay in front of the Rays.

Although Tampa Bay held on in their matchup against the Red Sox, Tampa Bay didn’t make any progress in closing in on the AL East.

If the Rays cannot win the AL East, they’ll be the No. 1 team in the AL Wild Card. They’ve won 96 games and are still one of the most elite teams in the MLB.

The Orioles are on their way to 100+ wins, while the Rays are behind them. We’d say that the AL East was the best division in baseball.

Meanwhile, while the Blue Jays can’t win the division, they hurt their chances at an AL Wild Card spot last night, losing to the Yankees 2-0. Refer to the AL Wild Card subheading for more about where the Blue Jays stand.

AL West

The Houston Astros knocked off the Seattle Mariners, 5-1, in Monday’s series opener between the two AL West teams.

Last night, the Mariners earned redemption with a 6-2 win over the Astros.

Meanwhile, the Rangers lost to the Angels on the road, 9-3.

After the Rangers loss, the Mariners are just three games back from the AL West. The Astros didn’t move. They’re still 2.5 games out of the AL West.

AL Wild Card Race

The Tampa Bay Rays will make the playoffs. For now, it’s more likely that the Rays will earn the No. 1 spot in the AL Wild Card. As explained above, the Orioles stayed 2.5 games in front of the Rays in the AL East and will likely maintain that lead throughout the season’s final week.

Behind the Rays in the AL Wild Card is still the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays lost to the Yankees last night and are now hanging on by a thread for the second spot in the AL Wild Card.

The Blue Jays are 87-70 heading into Wednesday. They’ll control their destiny. However, yesterday’s loss certainly didn’t help.

Two AL West teams are chasing the Blue Jays.

The Astros and Mariners are fighting for the final two spots in the AL Wild Card, along with the Blue Jays. However, as stated above, the Astros and Mariners are still in contention for the AL West, with the Rangers in front by 2.5 games against the Astros.

One of the Blue Jays, Rangers, Astros, and Mariners won’t make the postseason. That’s why this current Astros-Mariners series is so important. The winner of tonight’s game between the Astros and Mariners will earn a series win. That game is must-see TV.

MLB AL Playoff Picture Odds

The Toronto Blue Jays are thought to have the easiest road to the second Wild Card spot. But if the Blue Jays struggle this week, things will get interesting.

Toronto is currently -3000 to reach the playoffs. They’re still 1.5 games ahead in the second wild card spot.

Meanwhile, the Astros are sitting at -125 to make the playoffs, while the Mariners are now -130 after the Astros and Mariners split the first two games of their series.

Our MLB score predictions have the Astros earning another win against the Mariners tonight. Houston’s rarely left out of the playoffs. It likely won’t happen this year, either.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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