After six grueling months, we've reached the final day of the 2026 Major League Baseball season - and there's still plenty to play for. Two playoff spots remain unclaimed, and there's still some individual accolades up for grabs.
To avoid scoreboard-watching and tanking for positioning, all 30 teams will begin playing Game 162 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday in what will be a frantic race to the finish line.
Here are the biggest games to watch on the season's final day.
AL West "race": Rangers at Twins; Astros at Athletics
Does anyone actually want to win this division? It sure doesn't seem like it - but one of the Texas Rangers or Houston Astros will be spraying champagne after play concludes Sunday. Texas' win at Minnesota on Saturday ensured that this race - if you can call it that - will come down to the final day. The Astros kept pace by crushing the Athletics 13-2.
Both teams enter Sunday tied at 80-81, meaning whoever wins the AL West will make dubious MLB history as the first division winner and playoff team to not have a winning record in a 162-game season. Houston has a significant advantage, as it won the season series and owns the tiebreaker. So it's simple for the Astros: a win in West Sacramento, and they're in as the No. 3 seed.
The Rangers will send MacKenzie Gore to the mound against the Twins at Target Field. Houston didn't name a starter, but manager Joe Espada said every pitcher aside from Saturday's starter, Hayden Wesneski, will be available for the season finale. Whoever emerges from this race will host the sixth-seeded Chicago White Sox in the wild-card series, despite Chicago owning a superior record.
NL No. 6 seed: Rays at Phillies; D-Backs at Padres
At one point, the Philadelphia Phillies held a 6.5-game lead in the wild-card race and were cruising toward October. Now, they're clinging to the final NL playoff spot and continue to squander opportunities to eliminate the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies rolled over Saturday, losing 12-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays, but Arizona did them a favor by losing in San Diego.
Update!
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) September 27, 2026
Since the Phillies pulled to within one day of clinching, they’ve now been outscored, 27-3 https://t.co/tl0xcX4mz4
The Phillies' fate remains in their hands: beat the Rays, and they're in. But another loss, combined with a D-Backs win, will see the Snakes slither into October and seal a Phillies collapse that would rival the infamous "Phold of '64." Arizona owns the tiebreaker here by virtue of the superior intradivision record (the teams split their season series 3-3). It's a true must-win for both squads.
Philadelphia will call upon ace Zack Wheeler to save its season. But using Wheeler in Game 162 will come at a cost, as he may end up being unavailable for the wild-card series if the Phillies advance. The Phils will also have the services of left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who will come off the injured list Sunday and be available in relief.
Arizona, meanwhile, will throw Michael Soroka at the Padres with its season on the line. San Diego has nothing to play for but may still wish to spoil its division rival's playoff dreams.
The remainder of the playoff fields in both leagues are set. However, there are some potential individual moments worth watching. Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez still has a chance at the Triple Crown, although he's got his work cut out for him. D-Backs catcher Gabriel Moreno, meanwhile, can become just the fifth catcher in MLB history to win a batting title.
Sunday also might be a chance to say goodbye to some greats. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer will pitch on short rest in what could be his final start of his future Hall of Fame career. Another Blue Jays veteran, George Springer, has mused about retirement and could be taking his final swings in Toronto's season finale.
