Countdown to the MLB postseason: The playoff field is finally set!
The hunt for October lasted until the final day of the MLB season.
In fact, entering Sunday, there were six teams still battling for playoff spots or positioning, and they all played at the same time!
Here's how things shook out after No. 162:
NL WEST: The Giants and Dodgers entered Sunday separated by one game. Both teams had clinched spots in the playoffs, but which one would take the NL West and which one would become a 100-plus-win wild-card team was still to be determined.
The Giants took care of business Sunday, beating the Padres 11-4 to win the division title. The Dodgers, despite defeating the Brewers, settled for the wild card. They'll host the Cardinals on Wednesday in a one-game playoff.
AL WILD CARD: The Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners and Blue Jays were all in play for the two wild-card spots entering Sunday.
The Yankees removed themselves from the fray by beating the Rays 1-0 to clinch a wild card. The Blue Jays topped the Orioles handily, but they needed help from a team above them to have a chance at October. That didn't happen, as the Red Sox rallied to beat the Nationals 7-5 to take the other wild-card spot. The Mariners, after a magical run, were also eliminated as a result.
Is that all clear?
Now let's break down MLB's playoff teams, with Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman highlighting what makes each squad special.
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Date clinched: Oct. 3
Record: 92-70
The Red Sox trailed the Nationals 5-1 midway through the game Sunday, but they came all the way back to win 7-5 and stay ahead of the rest of the AL wild-card pack.
Boston and New York finished tied in the standings; therefore, with the advantage in the season series, Boston will host Tuesday's wild-card game.
Jake and Jordan discuss what makes the Red Sox a threat this postseason
Date clinched: Oct. 3
Record: 92-70
What's next? The Yankees needed until the last day of the season to lock up their spot in the postseason, but they did it with a walk-off victory against the Rays.
They'll travel to Boston to face the Red Sox on Tuesday.
Jake and Jordan lay out the three biggest reasons for the Yankees' success
Date clinched: Sept. 30
Record: 88-73
Jake and Jordan on the three things that will help the Braves in the playoffs
What's next? Atlanta clinched its fourth straight NL East crown exactly two months after the Braves had to remake their roster following injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna.
The Braves are locked into the 3-seed against the No. 2 Brewers, so they'll travel to Milwaukee for Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday.
Date clinched: Sept. 30
Record: 95-67
Jake and Jordan break down why Astros could win it all in October
What's next? The Astros will host the AL Central-champion Chicago White Sox (93-68) in the ALDS, with Game 1 taking place Thursday.
Date clinched: Sept. 28
Record: 90-72
What’s next? After being nearly out of the postseason picture, St. Louis went on a 17-game winning streak to steal the second NL wild card from the rest of the contending teams.
Next up for the Cardinals? A win-or-go-home playoff game on the road against the Dodgers.
The Cardinals are on an epic hot streak. But how likely is it that they win it all?
'This is a very very talented team and I think they can win the World Series' - Jake and Jordan on the White Sox's chances
Date clinched: Sept. 23
Record: 93-69
What’s next? The White Sox clinched the AL Central and made history in that this is the first time they have made back-to-back playoff appearances. A season ago, they fell 2-1 to the Oakland A's in the AL wild-card round.
In addition, the White Sox were the first team to clinch their division this season, and this is the first time they have won the AL Central since 2008. That year, they fell 3-1 in the ALDS.
"The Rays' offense is pretty scary!" - Jake and Jordan on Tampa Bay's postseason chances
Date clinched: Sept. 22
Record: 100-62
What’s next? The Rays clinched a spot in the playoffs for the third straight season, marking the first time in franchise history they’ve gone back-to-back-to-back. As for the AL East, the Rays led the division nearly wire to wire this season.
The Rays also cruised to the first 100-win season in franchise history and the best record in the Junior Circuit, fending off challenges from the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox for the AL’s No. 1 seed. They'll host the wild-card winner in the ALDS.
One cool nugget, via the Tampa Bay Times: The team's playoff-sealing win marked the first time the Rays clinched something in front of their home fans at Tropicana Field since Game 162 in 2011.
Jake and Jordan shockingly agree on Milwaukee postseason chances I MLB on FOX
Date clinched: Sept. 18
Record: 95-67
What's next? The Brewers are in the postseason for the fourth straight season. With one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, they locked up the NL Central title on Sept. 26, having led the Cardinals, Reds and Cubs for most of the season.
Jake and Jordan defend their predictions on Dodgers' World Series chances
Date clinched: Sept. 14
Record: 106-56
What's next? The defending champion Dodgers, despite winning more than 100 games, will host the National League wild-card game, having finished the season one game behind the San Francisco Giants. They are heading back to the postseason for the ninth straight year.
Jake and Jordan on the greatness of the Giants
Date clinched: Sept. 13
Record: 107-55
What's next? With a win in Game 162, the Giants emerged victorious from their tight race with the Dodgers for the NL West title and, with it, the National League's No. 1 seed. They'll host the winner of the NL wild card in the NLDS.
San Francisco's run to the top of the MLB standings was nearly unfathomable entering the season, but with 107 wins, the Giants secured home-field advantage through not only the NL playoffs but also the entire postseason.
Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman, creators of the Twitter account Céspedes Family BBQ, write about all things baseball for FOX Sports.
