The National League and the American Association faced each other in a World's Championship Series at the end of the season to determine an overall champion.
![1886 NL Champion St. Louis Browns 1886 NL Champion St. Louis Browns](https://i1.wp.com/www.retroseasons.com/retroimages/000-icon-BSTLC-1885-fc6ba50e5b3d022f8fb5fdabc9176519.jpg)
z: best record, c: conference winner, y: division winner, w: wildcard, x: clinched playoff spot