The MLB playoff picture gets clearer by the day

Three contenders have already clinched spots in the MLB playoffs, and several others are on their way.

The New York Yankees won the AL East this past week, sweeping the Boston Red Sox in a three-game homestand and winning Monday’s game against Kansas City. As we write this, the Yanks the MLB’s best record (by far) at 101-56.

In the National League, St. Louis and Los Angeles are headed to the postseason. Powered by their beefy slugger Albert Pujols, the Cardinals clinched the NL Central title.

Los Angeles hasn’t exactly wrapped up the NL West yet — there is still a very slim chance Colorado could snatch the division crown — but the Dodgers have a good enough record (93-64, the NL’s best) to be guaranteed at least a wildcard berth.

Going back to the American League, the Yankees will most likely be joined by Detroit and the L.A. Angels as division champions. The Angels have the AL West all but wrapped up, and Detroit holds a slim lead over Minnesota in the lackluster AL Central.

Boston is on pace for the AL’s wildcard berth, with Texas hanging on by a thread. As we write this, the Sox hold a six-game lead over the Rangers with six games remaining in the season.

That means, if the playoffs were to start today, the ALDS would have Detroit and New York facing off while Boston and Los Angeles meet.

In the National League, the picture isn’t so clear. The Cards and Dodgers are in, but the red-hot Atlanta Braves have the Philadelphia Phillies in jeopardy of giving up their hold on the NL East. Atlanta has won seven games in a row and 16 of its last 19 to charge back into the playoff picture.

Should the Phils hold on to the NL East, the Braves are also in the hunt for the NL wildcard berth, currently under Colorado’s control. The Rockies are two games ahead of the Braves with six games to go.

If the playoffs were to begin today, St. Louis and Los Angeles would meet, and Philly and Colorado would play in the NLDS.

Depending on how Atlanta finishes its season, though, and if Philadelphia and Colorado can keep the Braves at bay, it could be a different picture when the playoffs actually begin.

Related: View our entire selection of MLB fan apparel.

Customize your fit with the Rawlings baseball glove builder

It’s just one of those age-old rules: There is no substitution for a quality baseball glove.

High-quality gloves not only last longer, they play better. They don’t crack easily, the netting doesn’t break and the palms don’t wear out. Comfortable gloves aren’t distracting in the field, and as they say, it’s easier to play when you’re in your comfort zone.

Not to mention, they also look better.

There’s no better glove than one that perfectly fits your hand and plays to your strengths at your specific position.

But short of becoming a Major League Baseball player and having a glove specially made for you, where do you look to get a top-notch, customized glove?

Look no further than Baseball Express. We have the end-all way to get the glove with the perfect fit: The Rawlings Glove Builder.

Build your own glove from scratch, from the leather to the positions patterns. You can customize the webbing, lace, bindings, stamp, padding, sweatbands, personalized flags, embroidery and more.

You do the fun part, and we’ll do the sewing.

Check it out and get started making the perfect glove for you.

Related: View another collection of customizable Rawlings gloves.

Deal of the week: Save 15% off any order over $100

Like our hero Ichiro Suzuki, Baseball Express just keeps cranking out the hits.

Our new deal of the week begins today, and this one is another winner. We’re offering 15 percent off any order over $100 on our site from now through Friday, Oct. 2.

Enter the coupon code JGEADJ8 at checkout to take advantage of the offer.

We’re not exactly math whizzes over here, but after doing some calculations (and checking our math twice), we’ve discovered that this coupon code is worth $15 at the very least. Get 200 bucks worth of gear, and this coupon code will be worth $30.

Buy $1,000 worth of gear (and we hope you will!), and you can save $150 off the total price.

Again, this deal is only good through Friday, so take advantage of it over at Baseball Express.

Related: Get access to even more deals by joining our baseball rewards club.

We’ve been practicing this in the office

We’re going to have to replace a few windows.