MLB Playoff Picture Update 9/21: The Red Sox have clinched the American League East

American League East

The Red Sox got a huge day at the plate from Mookie Betts, a solid few innings from Steven Wright at exactly the right time, and it was enough for a win in Yankee Stadium. The first couple games of the series certainly weren’t ideal, but they only needed one win. They got it on Thursday, and they spent the night celebrating. The Red Sox have clinched the American League East for the third straight year.

American League Central

The Indians have clinched the division.

American League West

Oakland hosted the Angels on Thursday, and to say they won would be an absurd understatement. The A’s absolutely obliterated Los Angeles on Thursday. Oakland put together three innings in which they scored at least five runs, and all told they put up 21 runs en route to a 19-run blowout. It was....something. Houston, meanwhile, had a day off, so their lead in the division was cut down to 3.5 games, and their magic number is seven.

American League Wildcard

With the Yankees losing and Oakland winning — really, they should get credit for two wins there — the race for home field in the wildcard game has gotten closer. It’s an important race, what with the two teams playing on opposite coasts, giving a little more advantage to home field. After Thursday’s games, New York still has the lead in this race but it is now down to 1.5 games. Meanwhile, the Rays lost in devastating fashion when their bullpen allowed seven runs in the ninth for a walk-off loss. They were a longshot for a playoff spot as it was, but this essentially put the nail in the coffin.

Current AL Playoff Picture

E: Red Sox* (1)

C: Indians* (3)

W: Astros (2)

WC1: Yankees (4)

WC2: Athletics (5)

*Clinched playoff spot

National League East

The Phillies started a big four-game series against the Braves on Thursday. Atlanta certainly came in with a firm grip on the division, but this set was a chance for Philadelphia to come in, make a statement and make it a race again. Really, they needed to at least get off to a good start on Thursday. Instead, a 3-3 game heading into the bottom of the seventh turned into an 8-3 victory for Atlanta, and they essentially have the division wrapped up at this point. The Braves are now up by 6.5 with a magic number of four.

National League Central

Nobody in the NL Central played on Thursday. The Cubs still lead this division by 2.5 games over the Brewers with a magic number of eight.

National League West

The NL West also had the day off on Thursday. The Dodgers are still riding high after their sweep of the Rockies and they lead the division by 2.5 games. Their magic number is eight.

National League Wildcard

The only potential wildcard team to play on Thursday was Philadelphia, who dropped the disappointing game to Atlanta. The Brewers still hold a three-game lead over St. Louis for the top wildcard spot, and the Rockies trail the Cardinals by 1.5 games. Arizona is five games out and the Phillies are now 5.5 back.

Current NL Playoff Picture

E: Braves (3)

C: Cubs (1)

W: Dodgers (2)

WC1: Brewers (4)

WC2: Cardinals (5)