The calendar is just about ready to flip to September, which means the stretch run in Major League Baseball has arrived.
Except for the American League West, the division races all seem to have strong favorites. But the real intrigue surrounds the three wild-card spots in each league. It will be hard to knock off the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL, but seven teams still have at least a puncher’s chance to round out the field.
Over in the National League, the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies appear comfortably ahead of their pursuers. But the final spot seems to change hands on an almost-daily basis.
Here’s a look at the latest in the MLB playoff race:
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
A golden retriever watches the game between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants during the annual “Bark in the Park” at Globe Life Field on Aug. 4, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
A golden retriever watches the game between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants during the annual “Bark in the Park” at Globe Life Field on Aug. 4, 2026.
(Raymond Carlin III, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Jonah the Dog, who went viral on social media while looking at another dog eat a hot dog a week earlier at a Bark in the Park event, helps throw out a ceremonial first pitch with Billy the Marlin before the game between the Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park on July 12, 2026.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Dogs and their caretakers parade around the warning track as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Peanut the Dachshund joins the parade as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Ollie the toy poodle of San Francisco sports a pair of shades as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Dharma the pug sports a Giants jersey and a multi-colored mohawk as the San Francisco Giants celebrate “Dog Day” before taking on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 11, 2026.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
An Arizona Diamondbacks fan holds a dog during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on June 30, 2026.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
A dog poses on the warning track prior to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels during the annual “Pups in the Park” event at Dodger Stadium on June 7, 2026.
(William Liang, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Dogs walk or ride on the warning track at Dodger Stadium prior to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels during the stadium’s annual “Pups in the Park” event on June 7, 2026.
(William Liang, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
A dog poses for a photo on the warning track as fans gather for “Bark in the Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Fans and their dogs participate in “Bark in the Park” day before the game between the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 12, 2026.
(John Jones, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Tucker, the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse dog, plays during batting practice before the game between the Mariners and Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park on May 4, 2026.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
The New York Mets host Bark in the Park night at Citi Field on April 28, 2026.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 6, 2025.
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 22, 2025: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Bruce the Bat Dog fetches a bat before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Jess Rapfogel, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 14, 2025: Bruce the Bat Dog, from the Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings, stands atop the dugout steps during pregame festivities prior to the Nationals’ game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park.
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 7, 2025: Citi Field
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 20, 2025: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
(Dylan Buell, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 3, 2024: Fans bring their dogs during the Bark in the Park night prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 28: Decoy, the dog of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, waits for instruction before delivering the first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 28, 2024: A dog gets close to the camera during the Bark at the Park event before the Colorado Rockies’ game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 28, 2024: Television actress Caitlin O’Connor holds her dog Bubbles on the field prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
(Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 24, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood (left) and manager Mark Kotsay (right) pet Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, in the dugout before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 12, 2024: Dogs walk on the warning track for Bark in the Park day before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 9, 2024: A dog takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry following a first pitch prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Bark at the Park night at American Family Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 5, 2024: Oakland Athletics infielder Max Schuemann shares a moment with Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, before a game against the Miami Marlins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 16, 2024: Chase Field, Arizona
(Norm Hall, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
March 31, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood’s dog Reba plays with a baseball on the field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
March 29, 2024: Oakland Athletics groundskeeper Clay Wood and his dog rake the infield before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
(D. Ross Cameron, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
March 29, 2024: A dog dressed in New York Mets apparel sits in front of Citi Field before the Opening Day game between the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Oct. 8, 2023: Camden Yards
(Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 19, 2023: Citi Field (Mets)
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 9, 2023: Great American Ball Park. 20230509_gma_gt1_0331.jpg
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 11, 2023: Citi Field
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 28, 2022: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma CIty Dodgers)
(Nathan J. Fish, The Oklahoman)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 5, 2022: A dachshund gives a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw doll a ride around the field during the Pups at the Park Parade at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 16, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
(Katie Stratman, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Brooks, a 2-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sarah Paukert of Ames, enjoys the action during the Dog Days at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs hosted Columbus in a minor league baseball game on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Des Moines.
(Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 7, 2022: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws out a first pitch for his dog on Bark at the Park night prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 9, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 19, 2022: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 28, 2021: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 3, 2020; Minute Maid Park (Astros)
(Thomas Shea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 10, 2020: Dodger Stadium
(Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug 7, 2020: Dodger Stadium
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 2, 2020: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
(Denny Medley, Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 10, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox).
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 8, 2019: Marlins Park
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
July 16, 2019: Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress pets his dog.
(Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
July 16, 2019: Josh Hader shows fans his dog at Miller Park.
(Benny Sieu,USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
(Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
(Sergio Estrada, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
(Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 17, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (San Diego)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 29, 2019: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Rob Carr, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds)
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 29, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(Nuccio DiNuzzo, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
March 6, 2019: Salt River Fields (Rockies spring training)
(Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Feb. 21, 2019: Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe with his dog on media day
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept 24, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(Patrick Gorski, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 16, 2018: Tropicana Field (Rays)
(Douglas DeFelice, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
(Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 2, 2018: Minute Maid Park (Astros)
(Bob Levey, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
(Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 20, 2018: SunTrust Park (Atlanta)
(Mike Zarrilli, Getty Images)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
May 5, 2018: Citi Field (Mets)
(Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
April 23, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Sept. 6, 2017: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
(Jim Young, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
June 29, 2017: Petco Park (Padres)
(Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports)
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Bark at the Park: Furry friends at Major League Baseball games
Aug. 20, 2016: Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)
(Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)
Updated: Monday, Aug. 31, 6 a.m. ET
AL wild card standings
Top three teams qualify for wild-card series
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New York Yankees (78-59) +9 games
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Boston Red Sox (74-63) +5 games
NL wild card standings
Top three teams qualify
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Chicago Cubs (77-60) +4.5 games
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Philadelphia Phillies (77-60) +4.5 games
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Pittsburgh Pirates (67-71) – 6 GB
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca rounds the bases on an improbable two-run, game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth off San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller. The Rays went on to deal the Padres a painful 5-4 loss in 11 innings.
AL East
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New York Yankees (78-59) – 4.5 GB
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Boston Red Sox (74-63) – 8.5 GB
AL Central
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Cleveland Guardians (69-68) – 3.5 GB
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Minnesota Twins (65-72) – 7.5 GB
AL West
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Texas Rangers (67-70) – 2 GB
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Seattle Mariners (64-73) – 5 GB
NL East
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Philadelphia Phillies (77-60) – 5 GB
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Miami Marlins (69-68) – 13 GB
NL Central
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Chicago Cubs (77-60) – 8 GB
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St. Louis Cardinals (68-70) – 17.5 GB
NL West
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Los Angeles Dodgers (82-55)
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Arizona Diamondbacks (73-65) – 9.5 GB
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San Diego Padres (72-65) – 10 GB
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoff picture 2026: Wild card standings, AL and NL division standings
Read the full article here