2026 MLB Playoffs: Schedule, Matchups, and the Road to the World Series!
Translated with AI from the original article in Spanish. Leer la noticia original en español
The Major League Baseball postseason already has its 12 protagonists and its path to the World Series defined. The championship race will begin on Tuesday, September 29, with four Wild Card Series, on a day that will kick off the decisive stretch of the 2026 season.
The close of the regular campaign left two playoff berths decided on the final day. Philadelphia secured the third National League wild card with a 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay, a result that allowed them to fend off Arizona's final push to claim that spot. In the American League, Houston clinched the West after Texas lost 6-4 to Minnesota.
The Rays and Guardians finished as the top seeds in the American League and will have a first-round bye. Tampa Bay, the East champion, ended up as the No. 1 seed, while Cleveland, the Central winner, holds the second spot. Houston is the third seed and will host the Chicago White Sox.
The Yankees, seeded fourth, will face another postseason battle against Boston. The Red Sox claimed fifth place and will travel to Yankee Stadium for a Wild Card Series starting Tuesday.
The sixth seed in the American League belongs to the White Sox. In the National League, Milwaukee and Los Angeles Dodgers secured the top two seeds and will advance directly to the Division Series. The Brewers won the Central and are the No. 1 seed, while the Dodgers, West champions, hold the second spot.
From the Wild Cards to the Championship Decision
Atlanta, the National League East champion, is the third seed and will host Philadelphia. San Diego, seeded fourth, will host the Chicago Cubs, who finished as the fifth team in the National League. The Phillies, seeded sixth, complete the group.
Each of the four Wild Card Series will be a best-of-three games. All four matchups will begin on Tuesday and will have a rest day following the end of the regular season.
In the American League, the Red Sox and Yankees will play at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a third game on Thursday if necessary. The White Sox and Astros will start at 5 p.m. ET on both initial days.
The National League will feature Phillies and Braves as the first duel of the day at 2 p.m. ET, while the Cubs and Padres will close out the slate at 10 p.m. ET. All four matchups will have a third game on Thursday if needed, with times and networks subject to change depending on which series remain open.
The next stage will begin on Saturday, October 3. The Division Series for both leagues will run through October 10 in the American League and through October 9 in the National League.
The League Championship Series will begin with the NLCS on Sunday, October 11. The ALCS will start on Monday the 12th, and both could extend until October 20. The NLCS has a latest possible date of October 19.
The World Series is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 23. The first two games will be played on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before a break for Game 3 on Monday the 26th. Games 4 and 5 are scheduled for Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th.
If the series goes the distance, Game 6 will be on Friday, October 30, and Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, with FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX One listed as the broadcast options for all seven games.
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