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Welcome to September! Ranking the MLB playoff races that will rule the final month

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Here's what you need to know about the 2022 MLB postseason as the calendar flips to September: The wild-card game is out, the best-of-three wild-card round is in. Tiebreaker games are out, tiebreaker rules are in. Ten playoff teams have been expanded to 12. It's going to be a jam-packed final month in Major League Baseball to determine those playoff spots -- and then some since the regular season doesn't end until Oct. 5. due to the late start after the lockout.

Let's take stock of the six division races and two wild-card battles, ranking them from most to least intriguing. With some tight races unfolding and no Game 163 to break any ties, that means head-to-head records become vital since that's the first tiebreaker.