MLB Standings Reveal a Way-Too-Early Look at Current Projected Playoff Bracket

Just as everyone predicted two months ago the Rays have rocketed out out to the best record in baseball, the Tigers are already 8 1/2 games out of first place and the Athletics are in sole possession of first place in the American League West The Red Sox and Mets are a combined 43-65, the White Sox are playing .510 baseball and everyone in the National League Central has won more games than they've lost.

We are not yet to Memorial Day weekend so it is probably a bit premature to look at what the playoff bracket would be if the season ended today. But it's still a fun exercise as it gives a binary pass-fail grade to teams with postseason aspirations.

In the American League, Tampa Bay would earn the No. 1 seed thanks to a 33-15 record and the Guardians have done enough to currently posses the No. 2 seed and the second bye.

The Athletics would host the Rangers in a clash of divisional foes in one wild card series while the Yankees, despite a 30-20 mark, would have to settle for homefield advantage against the White Sox in the other three-game sprint.

On the other side of the bracket the Braves and Dodgers would earn byes and await the winners of the two wild card series. Currently those would feature the Brewers hosting the Cubs in one and the Padres and Cardinals doing battle in San Diego.

Obviously much will change and there's plenty of good news for teams who do not see their names above. Five teams are within four games of the final wild card spot in each of the leagues. In the AL even Kansas City and Detroit, currently tied at 20-30, are still a very manageable 4 1/2 games out of the playoff picture.