MLB Tiebreakers Explained
MLB no longer plays tiebreaker games.
When two or more MLB teams finish with the same record, a fixed formula settles the order: head-to-head record first, then record inside the division, then against the rest of the league.
This page explains each step in plain English, shows which 2026 races are currently tied and how they would be broken today, and lets you compare any two teams.
Current Ties in the 2026 Standings
Teams in the same league with identical records, and the step that separates them right now. Playoff seeding uses these exact comparisons.
Detroit TigersAL Central · American League No. 11
Seattle MarinersAL West · American League No. 12
| Step | Tigers | Mariners |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-headThe teams have not met yet, so this step is skipped. | not played | not played |
| Intradivision recordRecord against the four teams in each club's own division. | 5-12 | 8-11 |
| Interdivision record | 3-3 | 2-4 |
| Second-half intraleague record | 2-4 | 4-5 |
| Run differential | +71 | -58 |
The Seattle Mariners rank ahead on intradivision record.
Washington NationalsNL East · National League No. 10
St. Louis CardinalsNL Central · National League No. 11
| Step | Nationals | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-head | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Intradivision record | 7-7 | 4-8 |
| Interdivision record | 4-9 | 6-12 |
| Second-half intraleague record | 4-3 | 2-7 |
| Run differential | +6 | -29 |
The Washington Nationals rank ahead on head-to-head.
Tiebreaker Checker
Pick any two MLB teams. The checker walks the official order using this season's results and stops at the first step that separates them.
The Official Tiebreaker Order
Two teams tied on record for any seed.
- 1
Head-to-head record
Record in games between the two tied teams. Division rivals meet 13 times a season, so this settles most division ties on its own.
Example Yankees 92-70, Orioles 92-70. Yankees won the season series 7-6: Yankees take the division.
- 2
Intradivision record
Record against the four other teams in the same division (52 games).
Example A 30-22 division record beats 28-24.
- 3
Interdivision record
Record against the other two divisions in the same league.
- 4
Second-half intraleague record
Record in the last 81 games against league opponents. If still tied, the window shrinks one game at a time (last 80, last 79 and so on) until one team is ahead.
Three or more teams tied on record. Once one team is separated, the remaining teams restart from the two-team list.
- 1
Combined head-to-head
With three or more teams tied, the combined winning percentage in all games among them ranks the group. The team that comes out on top takes the higher spot; the others restart from step 1.
- 2
Intradivision record
Record against the other teams in each club's own division.
- 3
Interdivision record
Record against the rest of the league outside the division.
- 4
Second-half intraleague record
Last 81 league games, then one game fewer each time until the tie breaks.
Division Record, League Record and Run Differential
After head-to-head, the division and league records are what break MLB ties. Run differential is not an official step but shows who has been the stronger club. Tap a heading to sort.
| # | Team | Record | Div | League | Run diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Milwaukee BrewersMILNational League |
103-59 | 13-6 | 26-10 | +214 |
| 2 |  Los Angeles DodgersLADNational League |
100-62 | 10-2 | 27-15 | +201 |
| 3 |  Tampa Bay RaysTBAmerican League |
98-64 | 8-8 | 22-13 | +86 |
| 4 |  Atlanta BravesATLNational League |
94-68 | 8-7 | 18-17 | +116 |
| 5 |  New York YankeesNYYAmerican League |
93-68 | 14-7 | 19-11 | +138 |
| 6 |  San Diego PadresSDNational League |
91-71 | 10-3 | 22-12 | +41 |
| 7 |  Chicago CubsCHCNational League |
89-73 | 7-9 | 13-17 | +147 |
| 8 |  Philadelphia PhilliesPHINational League |
88-74 | 9-9 | 15-12 | +15 |
| 9 |  Boston Red SoxBOSAmerican League |
87-75 | 6-7 | 12-16 | +78 |
| 10 |  Arizona DiamondbacksARINational League |
86-76 | 6-4 | 12-10 | +9 |
| 11 |  Cleveland GuardiansCLEAmerican League |
85-77 | 13-8 | 25-17 | +11 |
| 12 |  Chicago White SoxCWSAmerican League |
84-78 | 12-9 | 17-13 | +56 |
| 13 |  Pittsburgh PiratesPITNational League |
82-80 | 6-6 | 10-11 | +28 |
| 14 |  Houston AstrosHOUAmerican League |
81-81 | 6-6 | 13-14 | -32 |
| 15 |  Miami MarlinsMIANational League |
80-82 | 6-9 | 13-17 | +3 |
| 16 |  Texas RangersTEXAmerican League |
80-82 | 5-4 | 13-12 | -46 |
| 17 |  Baltimore OriolesBALAmerican League |
79-82 | 7-11 | 12-12 | -21 |
| 18 |  Toronto Blue JaysTORAmerican League |
79-83 | 5-7 | 16-17 | -46 |
| 19 | Washington NationalsWSHNational League |
77-85 | 7-7 | 11-16 | +6 |
| 20 | St. Louis CardinalsSTLNational League |
77-85 | 4-8 | 10-20 | -29 |
| 21 |  Minnesota TwinsMINAmerican League |
77-85 | 6-9 | 12-16 | -58 |
| 22 | Detroit TigersDETAmerican League |
76-86 | 5-12 | 8-15 | +71 |
| 23 | Seattle MarinersSEAAmerican League |
76-86 | 8-11 | 10-15 | -58 |
| 24 |  Cincinnati RedsCINNational League |
75-87 | 7-8 | 14-20 | -160 |
| 25 |  New York MetsNYMNational League |
74-88 | 6-4 | 11-8 | -32 |
| 26 |  Kansas City RoyalsKCAmerican League |
69-93 | 7-5 | 16-12 | -120 |
| 27 |  San Francisco GiantsSFNational League |
65-97 | 2-11 | 12-17 | -91 |
| 28 |  AthleticsOAKAmerican League |
64-98 | 11-8 | 15-23 | -238 |
| 29 |  Los Angeles AngelsLAAAmerican League |
62-100 | 7-8 | 12-16 | -97 |
| 30 |  Colorado RockiesCOLNational League |
58-104 | 1-9 | 4-16 | -192 |
Div = record against the four division rivals. League = record against all AL or NL opponents. Run diff = runs scored minus runs allowed.
Why the Tiebreakers Matter
Since 2022 MLB settles every tie with a formula instead of a one-game playoff, so the season series between two rivals can decide a division in April as much as September.
The top two seeds in each league skip the best-of-three Wild Card Series, where anything can happen. The gap between the No. 2 and No. 3 seed is often one tiebreaker.
Division winners take seeds 1 to 3 even with a worse record than a wild card, so the head-to-head step in a division race is the most important tiebreaker in baseball.
All three games are at the higher seed. Being the No. 4 seed instead of No. 5 means never leaving home.
Glossary
Head-to-head
The record in games between the tied teams. Division rivals play 13 times; other league rivals six or seven.
Intradivision record
Record against the four other teams in the same division, 52 games a season.
Interdivision record
Record against the rest of the same league outside the division.
Second-half intraleague record
Record in the last 81 games against league opponents; the window shrinks one game at a time if still tied.
Wild card
The three best records in each league that did not win a division. They are seeded 4 to 6.
Bye
The top two seeds in each league skip the Wild Card Series and start in the Division Series.
Clinched (x, y, z, *)
x = playoff berth, y = wild card, z = division title, * = best record in the league and home-field advantage.
Eliminated
Mathematically unable to reach the playoffs even by winning every remaining game.
Games back (GB)
How many games a team trails the leader. A half game means the teams have played a different number of games.
🏆 MLB playoff picture → 📊 MLB standings →
Tiebreaker FAQ
What is the first MLB tiebreaker?
Head-to-head record between the tied teams. Then record inside the division, then against the rest of the league, then the second half of league games.
Does MLB still play tiebreaker games?
No. Game 163 was removed in 2022 along with the expanded 12-team playoff. Every tie is settled by the formula.
How many teams make the MLB playoffs?
Twelve, six per league: three division winners and three wild cards. The top two seeds get a bye.
How many games are in an MLB season?
162 per team, 81 at home and 81 away, from late March to the end of September.
Can MLB games end in a tie?
Only in rare suspended games that are never completed. Regular games play extra innings until there is a winner.
Are these standings shown with tiebreakers applied?
Our tables apply head-to-head, division and league records. The checker on this page walks the official order for any two teams.
Updated · last result change Sep 27