MLB playoff picture, standings, postseason odds: Giants and Dodgers tied atop NL West heading into big series

The postseason starts Oct. 5; what will the MLB playoff field look like?

The 2021 Major League Baseball season is entering its final month, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. While some teams, like the White Sox and Brewers, appear to have their divisions wrapped up, there are going to be plenty of fascinating races in September. Who will win the Dodgers vs. Giants tussle in the NL West? Will we get a Yankees vs. Red Sox matchup in the AL Wild Card Game? Can the Phillies or Mets make a surprise surge to catch the Braves in the NL East?

We'll find out the answers to all of those questions before the postseason gets started Oct. 5. But it's also worth asking, what would the MLB playoff picture look like if the season ended today?

As for Thursday, it was a light slate with just eight games. Notably, though, the Giants picked up a win over the Brewers, which means they're now tied with the blood rival Dodgers atop the NL West standings just ahead of their final head-to-head series of the regular season. The Phillies also picked up their sixth straight win, and they're now just two games out of second wild card position in the NL. 

Now let's have a look at the updated playoff picture, standings, and postseason odds for Friday.

If the season ended today

• AL Wild Card Game: Yankees vs. Red Sox
• NL Wild Card Game: Loser of Dodgers-Giants tiebreaker vs. Reds
• ALDS: Astros vs. White Sox
• ALDS: Rays vs. AL Wild Card Game winner
• NLDS: Brewers vs. Braves
• NLDS: Winner of Dodgers-Giants tiebreaker vs. NL Wild Card Game winner

MLB standings, playoff races

Here's a look at the current standings. Division and postseason projections are via Sportsline. For expanded standings, click here.

American League

AL EAST	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
Tampa Bay	84	50	—	93.6%	99.9%
N.Y. Yankees	77	56	6.5	5.2%	91.6%
Boston	77	59	8.0	1.1%	71.8%
Toronto	70	62	13.0	0.0%	8.7%
Baltimore- e	41	91	42.0	0.0%	0.0%

AL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
Chi. White Sox	78	56	—	99.7%	99.7%
Cleveland	67	64	9.5	0.0%	<1.0%
Detroit	63	72	15.5	0.0%	0.0%
Kansas City	59	74	18.5	0.0%	0.0%
Minnesota	58	75	19.5	0.0%	0.0%

AL WEST	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
Houston	78	55	—	92.0%	95.6%
Oakland	74	60	4.5	7.4%	28.4%
Seattle	72	62	6.5	0.0%	3.8%
L.A. Angels	66	68	12.5	0.0%	0.0%
Texas	47	86	31.0	0.0%	0.0%

AL WILD CARD	W	L	WCGB
N.Y. Yankees	77	56	+1.5
Boston	77	59	—
Oakland	74	60	2
Seattle	72	62	4
Toronto	70	62	5
Cleveland	67	64	7.5
L.A. Angels	66	68	10

National League

NL EAST	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
Atlanta	71	62	—	69.5%	79.8%
Philadelphia	69	64	2.0	28.7%	41.8%
N.Y. Mets	66	67	5.0	1.8%	3.2%
Washington	55	77	15.5	0.0%	0.0%
Miami	55	79	16.5	0.0%	0.0%

NL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
Milwaukee	82	53	—	99.7%	100.0%
Cincinnati	72	63	10.0	0.0%	56.5%
St. Louis	68	64	12.5	0.0%	6.9%
Chi. Cubs	60	75	22.0	0.0%	0.0%
Pittsburgh	48	86	33.5	0.0%	0.0%

NL WEST	W	L	GB	DIV	POST
San Francisco	85	49	—	39.9%	100.0%
L.A. Dodgers	85	49	—	60.1%	100.0%
San Diego	71	63	14.0	0.0%	11.6%
Colorado	61	73	24.0	0.0%	0.0%
Arizona	45	90	40.5	0.0%	0.0%

NL WILD CARD	W	L	WCGB
San Francisco/Los Angeles	85	49	+13.5
Cincinnati	72	63	—
San Diego	71	63	0.5
Philadelphia	69	64	2
St. Louis	68	64	2.5
N.Y. Mets	66	67	5

MLB postseason odds

All odds via Caesars Sportsbook. Last updated Sept. 3.

AL East
Rays: -650
Yankees: +575
Red Sox: +2800
Blue Jays: +15000

AL West
Astros: -1200
A's: +900
Mariners: +3000
Angels: +50000

NL East
Braves: -350
Phillies: +300
Mets: +1800

NL Central
Brewers: -5000
Reds: +1600
Cardinals: +15000

NL West
Dodgers: -230
Giants: +190
Padres: +50000