The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are battling for the AL West title, and the winner could reach the MLB playoffs with a losing record, as division winners get playoff berths. No losing-record team has qualified; the worst playoff record was the 2005 Padres’ 82-80.
San Diego won five of its final six games in 2005, claimed the NL West and was swept by the Cardinals in the Division Series. The 2025 Reds made the playoffs at 83-79, while the 2023 Marlins and Diamondbacks each qualified at 84-78. St. Louis’ 2006 team remains the worst-record World Series champion, at 83-78.
