2026 MLB postseason: Magic number for Chicago Cubs to make playoffs

National League MVP frontrunner Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Chicago Cubs are closing in on a return trip to the MLB playoffs with one week left in the season.

This is how things stand entering play on Saturday, Sept. 19:

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What is the Cubs magic number to make the 2026 MLB postseason?

• Cubs to make NL playoffs: 4

More: The Dodgers have won the NL West again. Now what? 4 biggest questions entering playoffs

Which teams have clinched berth in 2026 MLB playoffs?

• Atlanta Braves: Clinched NL playoff spot on Sept. 18
• Milwaukee Brewers: Clinched NL playoff title on Sept. 11
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Clinched NL playoff spot on Sept. 14
• Tampa Bay Rays: Clinched AL playoff spot on Sept. 11
• New York Yankees: Clinched AL playoff spot on Sept. 14

Latest MLB standings

American League:

AL East:

1. z-Tampa Bay Rays: 93-60
2. z-New York Yankees: 89-64
3. Boston Red Sox: 84-70
4. Toronto Blue Jays: 76-78
5. Baltimore Orioles: 75-79

AL Central:

1. Cleveland Guardians: 79-75
2. Chicago White Sox: 78-76
3. Detroit Tigers: 73-81
4. Minnesota Twins: 72-82
5. e-Kansas City Royals: 67-87

AL West:

1. Houston Astros: 77-77
2. Texas Rangers: 77-77
3. Seattle Mariners: 72-82
4. e-Athletics: 61-93
5. e-Los Angeles Angels: 59-95

AL Wild Card:

1. z-New York Yankees: 89-64 (+11.5)
2. Boston Red Sox: 84-70 (+6)
3. Chicago White Sox: 78-76 (in third and final WC)
4. Texas Rangers: 77-77 (1 GB)
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 76-78 (2 GB)
6. Baltimore Orioles: 75-79 (3 GB)
7. Detroit Tigers: 73-81 (5 GB)
8. Seattle Mariners: 72-82 (6 GB)
9. Minnesota Twins: 72-82 (6 GB)

More: Yankees 'have no idea' if injured Aaron Judge will play again this season

National League:

NL East:

1. z-Atlanta Braves: 90-64
2. Philadelphia Phillies: 85-69
3. e-Miami Marlins: 76-78
4. e-Washington Nationals: 72-82
5. e-New York Mets: 70-84

NL Central:

1. x-Milwaukee Brewers: 96-58
2. Chicago Cubs: 85-69
3. e-Pittsburgh Pirates: 77-77
4. e-St. Louis Cardinals: 75-79
5. e-Cincinnati Reds: 72-82

NL West:

1. x-Los Angeles Dodgers: 94-60
2. San Diego Padres: 85-69
3. Arizona Diamondbacks: 80-74
4. e-San Francisco Giants: 64-90
5. e-Colorado Rockies: 56-98

NL Wild Card:

1. Chicago Cubs: 85-69
2. Philadelphia Phillies: 85-69
3. San Diego Padres: 85-69
4. Arizona Diamondbacks: 80-74 (5 GB)

y-clinched playoff berth

x-clinched division

e-eliminated from playoff contention

When do the MLB playoffs start?

The regular season ends Sunday, Sept. 27, and the Wild Card Series begins with four games on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 2026 MLB postseason: Magic number for Chicago Cubs to make playoffs

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