MLB 2026: August winners, losers -- and what to watch in September

As Major League Baseball moves into September 2026, the playoff picture is beginning to come into focus following a volatile August. According to reports from NGSC Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently facing danger regarding their wild card standing, while the Chicago Cubs have emerged as a charging force driven by the performance of PCA. The transition into the final month of the regular season is described as a period of high intensity, where the distinction between the top contenders and the lower-tier teams—referred to as the dregs—has become a primary point of discussion across sporting media. Coverage from ESPN and The Boston Globe emphasizes the theme of August winners and losers as the league prepares for a frenetic final month. Meanwhile, CBS Sports and USA Today are focusing their analysis on the specific matchups that will determine the postseason trajectory.

These outlets are highlighting five critical MLB series to watch in September, noting that the playoff races have become increasingly wild. The reporting suggests that these upcoming series will be the most important indicators of which teams will secure postseason berths as the calendar turns. Contextual details provided by NGSC Sports include a historic milestone for Max Scherzer, who is reported to have made history during this period. This individual achievement occurs against the backdrop of a league-wide scramble for positioning. The stakes are heightened by the current volatility of the standings, where established powerhouses like the Dodgers find themselves in precarious positions and other teams are making late-season surges to challenge the existing hierarchy before the regular season concludes.

Looking ahead to September, observers are directed to monitor the five specific series identified by USA Today and CBS Sports to see how the playoff picture crystallizes. The focus remains on whether the Chicago Cubs can maintain their momentum behind PCA and if the Los Angeles Dodgers can resolve their wild card instability. Coverage indicates that the final month will be characterized by a race to determine the final postseason participants, with several critical series serving as the primary catalysts for these outcomes.