MLB 2026: Breaking down AL West, wild-card playoff races

ESPN's David Schoenfield analyzes the American League West division and wild-card playoff races for the 2026 MLB season, highlighting an unusual situation where multiple teams with below-.500 records are competing for two playoff spots. The AL postseason race is described as particularly chaotic, with the Baltimore Orioles among the teams discussed in the breakdown. The article is part of ESPN's broader MLB coverage, which also touches on other stories including the Cubs setting a club record with 30 unanswered runs and Cal Raleigh hitting a home run in his first at-bat following a three-home-run game.