Who holds the postseason tiebreakers in 2023?
Since 2022, all ties within the standings — for a division title or Wild Card spot, or to find out playoff seeding — have been decided solely by a collection of mathematical tiebreakers, reasonably than on the sphere. A full breakdown of the present methodology could be seen right here, however to summarize, the highest three components are, so as: head-to-head file, intradivision file (i.e. throughout the identical division) after which file towards opponents in the identical league however a special division.
This signifies that a staff’s head-to-head file towards its rivals is extra vital than ever, as it may possibly very nicely decide who performs deep into October and who goes house after Game 162. Consider what occurred in 2022, when the Braves and Mets completed with an identical 101-61 data, however Atlanta received the NL East title by advantage of going 10-9 towards New York, which then fell to San Diego within the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
Because of this, MLB.com can be monitoring the progress of assorted tiebreaker eventualities all through the remainder of the 2023 common season. To restrict these eventualities to groups in reasonable playoff competition, we’ll solely be itemizing groups with FanGraphs postseason odds at or above 1%, with tiebreaker eventualities outlined for essentially the most related doable matchups.
^ – Clinched season collection win
# – Opponent clinched season collection win
+ – Season collection completed in a tie; intradivision file is the second tiebreaker
All data are updated by Tuesday, Aug. 29.
The Orioles host a four-game collection with Tampa Bay from Sept. 14-17, needing just one win to clinch the higher head-to-head file.
With a 22-15 file in intradivision video games, the Rays could be a hair behind the Astros (26-17) within the tiebreaker as of now, if each groups have been to complete tied for a Wild Card spot.
Toronto’s 12-25 intradivision file means it’s going to nearly actually lose out in a tiebreaker state of affairs with Seattle (23-12).
Boston (19-14) is presently 3 video games behind Seattle (23-12) in intradivision file, giving the Mariners the sting as of now if these groups tied for a Wild Card spot.
If the Twins can catch the eventual AL West champion, a tiebreaker may come into play for the No. 2 seed within the AL, which might decide which membership will get a first-round bye and which has to play within the Wild Card Series.
At 23-12 vs. the AL West, the Mariners presently have one of the best intradivision file within the AL and would win the tiebreaker over Toronto or Boston.
As it stands now, the Rangers (21-15 towards AL West groups) would lose a tiebreaker to the Orioles (26-15 vs. the AL East) if these groups tied for a Wild Card spot.
The Astros are barely forward of the Rays in intradivision file, giving Houston the sting as of now in a possible tiebreaker.
The Braves play a four-game collection in Los Angeles from Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and can have an opportunity to take over the tiebreaker in case the groups end even for the No. 1 NL seed.
With a 15-21 intradivision file, the Marlins could be far behind the 18-11 Giants if a tiebreaker got here right down to that, however they really are a hair forward of the 16-23 Reds as of now.
Cincinnati is presently barely behind the Marlins in intradivision file, and the 16-23 Reds are additionally only one recreation behind the 17-22 Padres.
Even if the Brewers catch the Dodgers for the second-best file within the NL, Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker for a first-round postseason bye.
The Giants (18-11) are comfortably forward of the Marlins (15-21) in intradivision file, if a tiebreaker comes right down to that.
The Padres (17-22) are a recreation forward of the Reds (16-23) in intradivision file, giving San Diego the sting within the occasion that each groups compete for a Wild Card spot.
