The MLB Playoffs Are Here
The MLB playoffs have officially started.
Beginning on Tuesday, September 29, there are still 12 teams competing for the chance to take home the World Series trophy. However, by mid-October, only two teams will be left in the hunt.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for a rare three-peat, an achievement accomplished by only four teams in history. The New York Yankees have pulled it off three times—1936-1939, 1949-1953, and again from 1998-2000. The Athletics also managed this feat from 1972 to 1974.
If the Dodgers succeed, they would be the only team from the National League to achieve a three-peat.
Here’s a look at the MLB Playoff Bracket and the schedule for upcoming games leading up to the ALCS and NLCS.
2026 MLB Playoffs Bracket
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched the top seed in the American League, enjoying a bye. Similarly, the Cleveland Guardians, as the second seed, also have a bye. The Rays will face the Wild Card Series winner between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, while the Guardians will take on the victor from the series involving the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox.
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the top positions and await the Wild Card winners. The Brewers will play against the winner of the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres series, while the Dodgers will go head-to-head with the winner from the series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves.
Bracket courtesy of MLB.com:
National League Schedule and Scores
Here’s the schedule for the National League playoffs. Times are listed in Eastern Time.
Scores will be updated as games conclude.
Wild Card: Phillies vs. Braves
Game 1: Phillies at Braves, Tuesday, September 29, 2:00 p.m., NBC
Game 2: Phillies at Braves, Wednesday, September 30, 2:00 p.m., NBC
Game 3: Phillies at Braves, Thursday, October 1, 2:00 p.m., NBC*
Wild Card: Cubs vs. Padres
Game 1: Cubs at Padres, Tuesday, September 29, 10:00 p.m., Peacock
Game 2: Cubs at Padres, Wednesday, September 30, 10:00 p.m., Peacock
Game 3: Cubs at Padres, Thursday, October 1, 10:00 p.m., Peacock*
NLDS: Cubs/Padres vs. Brewers
Game 1: Cubs/Padres at Brewers, Saturday, October 3, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 2: Cubs/Padres at Brewers, Sunday, October 4, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 3: Brewers at Cubs/Padres, Tuesday, October 6, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 4: Brewers at Cubs/Padres, Wednesday, October 7, TBD, FOX or FS1*
Game 5: Cubs/Padres at Brewers, Friday, October 9, TBD, FOX or FS1*
NLDS: Phillies/Braves vs. Dodgers
Game 1: Phillies/Braves at Dodgers, Saturday, October 3, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 2: Phillies/Braves at Dodgers, Sunday, October 4, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 3: Dodgers at Phillies/Braves, Tuesday, October 6, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 4: Dodgers at Phillies/Braves, Wednesday, October 7, TBD, FOX or FS1*
Game 5: Phillies/Braves at Dodgers, Friday, October 9, TBD, FOX or FS1*
Game 1: NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed, Sunday, October 11, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 2: NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed, Monday, October 12, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 3: NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed, Wednesday, October 14, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 4: NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed, Thursday, October 15, TBD, FOX or FS1
Game 5: NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed, Friday, October 16, TBD, FOX or FS1*
Game 6: NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed, Sunday, October 18, TBD, FOX or FS1*
Game 7: NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed, Monday, October 19, TBD, FOX or FS1*
American League Schedule and Scores
Now, let’s take a look at the American League playoff schedule. All times are in Eastern Time.
Wild Card: White Sox vs. Astros
Game 1: White Sox at Astros, Tuesday, September 29, 5:00 p.m., Peacock
Game 2: White Sox at Astros, Wednesday, September 30, 5:00 p.m., Peacock
Game 3: White Sox at Astros, Thursday, October 1, 5:00 p.m., Peacock*
Wild Card: Red Sox vs. Yankees
Game 1: Red Sox at Yankees, Tuesday, September 29, 8:00 p.m., NBC
Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees, Wednesday, September 30, 8:00 p.m., NBC
Game 3: Red Sox at Yankees, Thursday, October 1, 8:00 p.m., NBC*
ALDS: Red Sox/Yankees vs. Rays
Game 1: Red Sox/Yankees at Rays, Saturday, October 3, TBD, TBS
Game 2: Red Sox/Yankees at Rays, Monday, October 5, TBD, TBS
Game 3: Rays at Red Sox/Yankees, Wednesday, October 7, TBD, TBS
Game 4: Rays at Red Sox/Yankees, Thursday, October 8, TBD, TBS*
Game 5: Red Sox/Yankees at Rays, Saturday, October 10, TBD, TBS*
ALDS: White Sox/Astros vs. Guardians
Game 1: White Sox/Astros at Guardians, Saturday, October 3, TBD, TBS
Game 2: White Sox/Astros at Guardians, Monday, October 5, TBD, TBS
Game 3: Guardians at White Sox/Astros, Wednesday, October 7, TBD, TBS
Game 4: Guardians at White Sox/Astros, Thursday, October 8, TBD, TBS*
Game 5: White Sox/Astros at Guardians, Saturday, October 10, TBD, TBS*
Game 1: AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed, Monday, October 12, TBD, TBS
Game 2: AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed, Tuesday, October 13, TBD, TBS
Game 3: AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed, Thursday, October 15, TBD, TBS
Game 4: AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed, Friday, October 16, TBD, TBS
Game 5: AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed, Saturday, October 17, TBD, TBS*
Game 6: AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed, Monday, October 19, TBD, TBS*
Game 7: AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed, Tuesday, October 20, TBD, TBS*
Lastly, here’s the schedule for the World Series:
Game 1: Lower Seed at Higher Seed, Friday, October 23, TBD, FOX
Game 2: Lower Seed at Higher Seed, Saturday, October 24, TBD, FOX
Game 3: Higher Seed at Lower Seed, Monday, October 26, TBD, FOX
Game 4: Higher Seed at Lower Seed, Tuesday, October 27, TBD, FOX
Game 5: Higher Seed at Lower Seed, Wednesday, October 28, TBD, FOX*
Game 6: Lower Seed at Higher Seed, Friday, October 30, TBD, FOX*
Game 7: Lower Seed at Higher Seed, Saturday, October 31, TBD, FOX*
