MLB Playoff Picture Update: The Brewers tie things up with Chicago

American League East

The Yankees entered Tuesday’s action with a chance of being just one day away from clinching the division provided they could win twice and get one loss from the Rays in that span. They took care of their side of things yesterday, getting a big performance from Luis Severino in his return to the majors in an 8-0 shutout win. It wasn’t all good news for New York, though, as Dellin Betances’ season ended with an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, the Rays couldn’t get it done out west, with the Dodgers using a five-run seventh to catapult them to victory. The Yankees are now a New York win or a Tampa Bay loss away from clinching this thing.

American League Central

The Red Sox and Giants played a long, weird game on Tuesday, but they weren’t the only teams to play extras. The Twins and White Sox also played a wild one, as they were tied at five after nine before both teams scored in the eleventh. Chicago then scored two in the 12th before the Twins came back and scored three to take home a dramatic win. The Indians, to their credit, did keep pace with an easy win over the Tigers. Minnesota remains five games up in this division with their magic number now at seven.

American League West

Like the Yankees, the Astros had a chance to clinch their division on Wednesday if they could win each of their next two while the A’s lost both. Houston held up their end of the bargain on Tuesday, with Justin Verlander continuing his Cy Young-caliber season in a 4-1 win over the Rangers. The A’s ensured that Houston can’t clinch any earlier than Thursday, though, as Oakland got a late home run from Matt Olson to squeak by the Royals. Houston’s magic number now sits at three.

American League Wildcard

This race just continues to tighten up with the Rays scuffling a bit at exactly the wrong tie. With Tampa Bay losing while Oakland and Cleveland won, the A’s now lead by a full two games in the top spot while the Rays’ lead over the Indians for the second spot is now back down to just a half-game.

National League East

Atlanta was yet another team with a chance to wrap things up on Wednesday, but unlike the Yankees and Astros the Braves weren’t able to take advantage of their opportunity. Atlanta scored a couple runs late but it wasn’t enough to complete a comeback as the Phillies took a one-run game against the division leaders. The Nationals didn’t make things any easier for the Braves, either, with Washington taking a 6-2 win over the Cardinals. The Braves’ magic number stays at three, meaning they can now clinch as early as Thursday.

National League Central

As mentioned above, the Central-leading Cardinals couldn’t get a second straight win over the Nationals, giving the Cubs and Brewers a chance to make up some ground in this division. Chicago did not take advantage of the opportunity as Sonny Gray led the Reds to a win over the Cubs. Milwaukee, however, did take advantage as they stayed red-hot with a 3-1 win over the Padres. The Cardinals still lead this division by two games, but the Brewers are now tied with Chicago in second place.

National League West

The Dodgers have already clinched this division.

National League Wildcard

We already know the Nationals got a win in the top spot in this race while the Cubs lost and the Brewers and Phillis both won. Further down in the race, the Mets picked up an easy win in Colorado while the Diamondbacks lost a tough one at home to the Marlins. So, with all of that the Nats still hold the top spot here with a 1.5-game cushion. That cushion is now over both the Cubs and Brewers, who are tied for the second spot. Meanwhile, the Phillies and Mets are four games out while the Diamondbacks are 5.5 out and will no longer be included in this space.