MLB Playoff Picture for Week of August 26

The final month of the regular season is right around the corner, and outside of a couple divisions, there are still playoff spots up for grabs, with the Wild Card race as hot as ever.

Let's take a look at the playoff picture around baseball as we inch closer to the month of September.

American League East

The New York Yankees had a little hiccup in the month of August, particularly after they were swept in Oakland, but they rebounded and took two out of three against the Dodgers. They have a nine-game lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays. Something unforeseen would have to happen for them to lose the AL East.

American League Central

This is one of the few divisions that might come down to the final week, as the Minnesota Twins regained the lead by 3.5 games over the Cleveland Indians, who have been snake-bitten with injuries recently. However, with their pitching and postseason experience, they still have the ability to make a final run to catch this young Twins team.

American League West

Even with the recent hot stretch by the Oakland Athletics, the Houston Astros are up in the AL West by 9.5 games. They've rekindled what made them one of the AL favorites and have won four straight games. Barring injuries to their key players, this division appears to be locked up.

American League Wild Card

The Boston Red Sox still have a chance, as they are six games back of the second Wild Card, but it looks like a three-team race at the moment. The Indians lead the Rays by a half-game, who lead the A's by a half-game for the final Wild Card spot.

National League East

The Washington Nationals are getting a lot of attention for their second-half surge, but the Atlanta Braves are still well in control of this division, as they've won eight straight games and lead the division by six. It's their division to lose at this point.

National League Central

What is going on in the NL Central? The Chicago Cubs can't win on the road and they were just swept at home by Washington. Now they stand 2.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have won four straight and look like the favorites at this moment. Even though Milwaukee's pitching staff leaves a lot to be desired, they are only 4.5 games back.

National League West

The Los Angeles Dodgers locked this division up and threw away the key weeks ago. They're 20 games up on the second-place San Francisco Giants, who are at .500.

National League Wild Card

The NL Wild Card spots are rather interesting -- there are seven teams within five games. The Nationals hold the first WC spot by four games and seem like a shoe-in at this point, especially with their starting pitching. Even with their poor play of late, the Cubs hold the second spot by 1.5 games over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Brewers and Mets are two games back, and with a hot stretch of play they are right in the mix.