The regular season's final week is reshaping the playoff field in real time. The Rays finished the regular season 96-61 and clinched the AL East on September 23 with a 6-1 win at Yankee Stadium in Game 2 of a doubleheader, securing home-field advantage through the ALCS. It marks their first division title since back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, the White Sox defeated Kansas City 9-1 on September 24 to clinch their first postseason berth in five years, completing a historic reversal from three consecutive 100-loss seasons, including a modern-era record 121 losses in 2024.
In baseball's wildcard chase, the picture tightened Thursday. The Orioles won Game 1 of their doubleheader against Toronto 4-2 on September 23, with Pete Alonso hitting his 41st home run to keep Baltimore alive with an elimination number of one. The Blue Jays were eliminated by that loss. Game 2 of the Orioles-Blue Jays doubleheader on September 23 will decide whether Baltimore continues its season; a White Sox victory over Kansas City that same day becomes the second elimination path. The Cubs clinched the playoffs on September 24 when Pete Crow-Armstrong stole his 40th base to become the seventh player in MLB history with 40 homers and 40 steals in a single season. The Cubs beat Miami 2-1 that day.
A nor'easter has forced the Cubs and Red Sox to compress their playoff-critical series into a split doubleheader on Friday, September 27, with the first game at 1:05 p.m. ET and the second at 6:05 p.m. ET. Saturday's game remains at 7:15 p.m. ET, though Red Sox manager Chad Tracy acknowledged that a neutral-site game may be necessary if Boston weather does not improve. Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed rotation concerns: Clay Holmes and David Peterson appear set for Friday's doubleheader, potentially leaving Shota Imanaga on short rest for Saturday. Any makeup game would fall on Monday, one day before the Wild Card Series begins.
Injury concerns are mounting as the postseason approaches. The Yankees placed closer Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day IL on September 24, retroactive to September 22, with right biceps neuritis, ruling him out at least through the Wild Card Series. Schmidt has been shut down from throwing after experiencing cramping in his right biceps during warmups on Sunday. The Lynx clinched the WNBA No. 1 playoff seed on September 23 despite losing 96-77 to Indiana, with Olivia Miles held out as a late scratch with a left calf injury. Coach Cheryl Reeve said the team would take Miles' injury day by day as the playoffs approach on September 28.
On the NFL side, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. makes his season debut on Thursday Night Football September 26 against Green Bay after missing the first two games recovering from a knee injury. Backup Cooper Rush and UDFA Jack Strand combined for a 55.6% completion percentage, 247 passing yards, one touchdown and four interceptions over two games. The Packers will be without right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and WR Jayden Reed, both ruled out.
