MLB playoff picture: Wild-card races going down to wire

(Updated through games played Saturday, Sept. 21)

While the Baltimore Orioles are set to claim the American League’s top wild-card seed, the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners were all within two games for the second and third seeds through Saturday. In the NL, the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves had just three games between them for the last two spots.

‘We’re having a blast,’ said Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene, part of his first pennant race. ‘This is the most fun I’ve had playing baseball, I think in my life.’

Here’s a look at the latest MLB standings:

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(Updated through games played Saturday, Sept. 21)

AL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

1. Baltimore Orioles (86-69): +4.5 games
2. Kansas City Royals (82-73): +0.5 games
3. Minnesota Twins (81-73)
4. Detroit Tigers (81-74) 0.5 GB
5. Seattle Mariners (80-75): 1.5 GB

NL wild card standings

Top three reach playoffs

1. San Diego Padres (89-66): +3 games
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-68) +1 game
3. New York Mets (86-69)
4. Atlanta Braves (84-71): 2 GB

AL East

1. New York Yankees (91-64) – clinched postseason spot Sept. 18
2. Baltimore Orioles (86-69) – 5 GB

AL Central

1. Cleveland Guardians (90-66) – clinched division Sept. 21

AL West

1. Houston Astros (85-70)
2. Seattle Mariners (80-75) – 5 GB

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies (92-63) – clinched postseason spot Sept. 20
2. New York Mets (86-69) – 6 GB
3. Atlanta Braves (84-71) – 8 GB

NL Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers (88-67) – clinched division Sept. 18

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (92-63) – clinched postseason spot Sept. 19
2. San Diego Padres (89-66) – 3 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (87-68) – 5 GB

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