Updated

With the 2026 MLB regular season winding down, ESPN's playoff tracker outlines current postseason odds, bracket positioning and which teams could clinch spots next, alongside analysis of which contenders have the strongest starting pitching depth heading into October. Aces and playoff rotations are seen as a key differentiator among contenders. Separately, the Boston Red Sox's turnaround has become one of the season's notable storylines, going from a 10-17 start under new manager Chad Tracy to securing a postseason berth, exemplifying the tightening playoff races across both leagues.