Closing on a fifth NL West title in a row, the reigning World Series champion Dodgers officially will be back in the playoffs for the 13th year in a row.
The Dodgers clinched at least a wild card on a memorable Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
A day after franchise legend Clayton Kershaw announced he’ll retire after the season, the three-time NL Cy Young winner made his last home start in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win over the Giants.
Kershaw wasn’t close to vintage and didn’t last long enough to qualify for a win, but the left-hander departed after 4 1/3 innings and 91 pitches with a 5-2 lead.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 52nd homer for the Dodgers, whose NL West lead over the second-place Padres grew to three games with eight games remaining for both teams. LA also holds the tiebreaker and can clinch the division as early as Sunday.
Elsewhere …
In Houston, the Mariners broke out of a first-place tie with the Astros with a 4-0 win, but All-Star right-hander Bryan Woo left the game after five shutout innings with pectoral tightness. The Astros are tied for the second and third AL wild cards, but currently hold the last seed because the Red Sox have the tiebreaker.
In Detroit, the AL Central-leading Tigers’ collapse continued with a 10-1 loss to the Braves. Detroit, which has lost four in a row and seven of eight, is only 2 ½ games ahead of the surging Guardians after being up 10 games on Sept. 3.
In Minneapolis, Bo Naylor’s two-run single broke an eighth-inning tie in a 6-2 Guardians win over the Twins. Cleveland, which has won 13 of 14, is only 1 ½ games out an AL wild-card spot in addition to closing on the Tigers.
In Baltimore, Jazz Chisholm homered to become the third Yankees player to have a 30/30 season, but the Orioles won 4-2 with left-hander Trevor Rogers allowing one hit over six shutout innings. The Yankees’ hold on the first wild card is down to two games and they remained three games behind the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who hold the tiebreaker.
In Kansas City, Max Scherzer allowed seven first-inning runs and was pulled after two-thirds of an inning for the Blue Jays, who were creamed 20-1 by the Royals. Toronto has lost three in a row.
In Tampa, Jarren Duran hit a tie-breaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Red Sox forged a 11-7 win over the Rays, who officially were eliminated from playoff contention. The Red Sox hold the second wild-card spot on a tiebreaker.
In New York, Juan Soto reached a new career-best with 42 homers in a 12-6 Mets win over the Nationals that maintained their two-game hold on the last NL wild card.
In Cincinnati, Spencer Steer hit two homers and the Reds beat the Cubs 7-4 to stay two games behind the Mets.
In Chicago, Miguel Vargas hit a two-run homer for the White Sox, who edged the Padres 4-3. San Diego is three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and has three-game lead on the Mets for the second NL wild card.
In Phoenix, the wild card-hopeful Diamondbacks dropped three games behind the Mets with an 8-2 loss to the NL East champion Phillies, who got a two-hit, three-RBI night from Alex Bohm in his first game back from the injured list.
In Arlington, Texas, the fading Rangers’ losing streak swelled to five games with a 6-4, 12-inning setback to the Marlins. Texas is five games out of a wild-card spot with eight games remaining.
In St. Louis, Nolan Arenado contributed a three-run double in a five-run fifth inning and the Cardinals whipped the playoff-bound Brewers 7-1. Milwaukee’s NL Central lead over the Cubs was shaved to five games. The Cardinals remained five games out of a playoff spot.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules and tiebreakers for the contenders through Friday, Sept. 18 along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Saturday, Sept. 19:
AL EAST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (89-65)
Standings: First in AL East. Lead second-place Yankees by 3 games.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays won season series with Yankees 8-5; Blue Jays won season series with Mariners 4-2; Blue Jays trail season series with Astros 3-1. Blue Jays won season series with Tigers 4-3.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 5
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Games remaining: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Royals (2)
Sept. 23-25: Red Sox (3)
Sept. 26-28: Rays (3)
NEW YORK YANKEES (86-68)
Standings: Second in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 3 games. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Guardians by 3.5 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees lost season series with Blue Jays 8-5; Yankees lost season series with Red Sox 9-4; Yankees tied season series with Astros 3-3; Yankees won season series with Mariners 5-1; Yankees lost season series with Tigers 4-2; Yankees tied season series with Guardians 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 6
Games remaining: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Yankees schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Orioles (2)
Sept. 23-25: White Sox (3)
Sept. 26-28: Orioles (3)
BOSTON RED SOX (84-70)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 5 games. Tied with Astros for second and third in AL wild-card standings. Red Sox have tiebreaker. Lead Guardians by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox won season series with Yankees 9-4; Red Sox tied season series with Mariners 3-3; Red Sox lost season series with Rangers 4-3; Red Sox won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 8
Games remaining: 8 (3 home, 5 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Rays (2)
Sept. 23-25: at Blue Jays (3)
Sept. 26-28: Tigers (3)
AL CENTRAL
DETROIT TIGERS (85-69)
Standings: First in AL Central. Lead second-place Guardians by 2.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Tigers trail season series with Guardians 6-4; Tigers lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Tigers lost season series with Blue Jays 4-3; Tigers won season series with Yankees 4-2; Tigers won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 7
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7
Remaining games: 8 (2 home, 6 road).
Tigers schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Braves (2)
Sept. 22-24: at Guardians (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Red Sox (3)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (82-71)
Standings: Second in AL Central. Trail first-place Tigers by 2.5 games. Fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Red Sox by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Guardians lead season series with Tigers 6-4; Guardians lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Guardians trail season series with Rangers 3-0; Guardians won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 8
Remaining games: 9 (6 home, 3 road).
Guardians schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Twins (3)
Sept. 23-25: Tigers (3)
Sept. 26-28: Rangers (3)
AL WEST
SEATTLE MARINERS (85-69)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead Astros by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Mariners lead season series with Astros 6-5; Mariners won season series with Tigers 4-2; Mariners won season series with Rangers 10-3; Mariners won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: 8
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7
Remaining games: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Mariners schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Astros (2)
Sept. 23-25: Rockies (3)
Sept. 26-28: Dodgers (3)
HOUSTON ASTROS (84-70)
Standings: Second in AL West. Tied with Red Sox for second and third in AL wild card standings. Red Sox have tiebreaker. Lead Guardians by 1.5 games for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Astros trail season series with Mariners 6-5; Astros won season series with Rangers 7-6; Astros lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Astros lost season series with Guardians 4-2; Astros lost season series with Tigers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 8
Remaining games: 8 (2 home, 6 road).
Astros schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Mariners (2)
Sept. 23-25: at Athletics (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Angels (3)
TEXAS RANGERS (79-75)
Standings: Third in AL West. Trail first-place Mariners and Astros by 6 games. Fifth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Astros and Red Sox by 5 games for second and third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Rangers lost season series with Astros 7-6; Rangers lost season series with Mariners 10-3.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 4
Remaining games: 8 (5 home, 3 road).
Rangers schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Marlins (2)
Sept. 23-25: Twins (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Guardians (3)
NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (92-62)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets by 12 games.
Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 4-2; Phillies lost season series with Brewers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Phillies schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Diamondbacks (2)
Sept. 23-25: Marlins (3)
Sept. 26-28: Twins (3)
NEW YORK METS (80-74)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 12 games. Third in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds by 2 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Mets won season series with Giants 4-2; Mets lost season series with Reds 4-2; Mets tied season series with Diamondbacks 3-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 7
Remaining games: 8 (2 home, 6 road).
Mets schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Nationals (2)
Sept. 23-25: at Cubs (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Marlins (3)
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (94-60)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 6 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers lost season series with Cubs 7-6; Brewers won season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched on Sept. 13.
Remaining games: 8 (3 home, 5 road).
Brewers schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Cardinals (2)
Sept. 22-24: at Padres (3)
Sept. 26-28: Reds (3)
CHICAGO CUBS (88-66)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 6 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds by 10 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs won season series with Brewers 7-6; Cubs tied season series with Padres 3-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 16.
Remaining games: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Cubs schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Reds (2)
Sept. 23-25: Mets (3)
Sept. 26-28: Cardinals (3)
CINCINNATI REDS (78-76)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 16 games. Fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 2 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Reds won season series with Mets 4-2; Reds tied season series with Giants 3-3; Reds won season series with Diamondbacks 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 7
Remaining games: 9 (6 home, 3 road).
Reds schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Cubs (2)
Sept. 23-25: Pirates (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Brewers (3)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (75-79)
Standings: Fourth in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 19 games. Seventh in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cardinals lost season series with Mets 5-2; Cardinals lead season series with Giants 2-1.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 4
Remaining games: 8 (2 home, 6 road).
Cardinals schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Brewers (2)
Sept. 22-24: at Giants (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Cubs (3)
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (87-67)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 4 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers won season series with Padres 9-4; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 4-2; Dodgers lost season series with Brewers 6-0.
Magic number to clinch NL West: 4
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 19.
Remaining games: 8 (2 home, 6 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Giants (2)
Sept. 23-25: at Diamondbacks (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Mariners (3)
SAN DIEGO PADRES (83-71)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 4 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds by 5 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres lost season series with Dodgers 9-4; Padres won season series with Mets 4-2; Padres tied season series with Phillies 3-3.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 4
Remaining games: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Padres schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at White Sox (2)
Sept. 22-24: Brewers (3)
Sept. 26-28: Diamondbacks (3)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (77-77)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 10 games. Fifth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 3 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Diamondbacks tied season series with Mets 3-3; Diamondbacks won season series with Giants 7-6; Diamondbacks lost season series with Reds 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 6
Remaining games: 8 (5 home, 3 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Sept. 20-21: Phillies (2)
Sept. 23-25: Dodgers (3)
Sept. 26-28: at Padres (3)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (76-78)
Standings: Fourth in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 11 games. Sixth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 4 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Giants lost season series with Diamondbacks 7-6; Giants tied season series with Reds 3-3. Giants trail season series with Cardinals 2-1.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 5
Remaining games: 8 (6 home, 2 road).
Giants schedule:
Sept. 20-21: at Dodgers (2)
Sept. 22-24: Cardinals (3)
Sept. 26-28: Rockies (3)
POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Blue Jays (1), Mariners (2), byes
Astros (6) at Tigers (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Phillies (2), byes
Mets (6) at Dodgers (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)