MLB Playoff Bracket 2026: Every Matchup, Dates and Teams
Twelve teams, one trophy — your complete guide to October baseball starts right here.
Bracket Set After a Dramatic Game 162
Philadelphia and Houston grabbed the final two playoff spots on the season's last day.
AL Wild Card: White Sox at Astros
Chicago heads to Houston as the AL wild card round opens on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
AL Wild Card: Red Sox at Yankees
Baseball's fiercest rivalry returns — Boston visits New York with October on the line.
NL Wild Card: Phillies at Braves
Philadelphia stays hot, opening the NL bracket against rival Atlanta on Tuesday.
NL Wild Card: Cubs at Padres
Chicago travels to San Diego as the Cubs and Padres open their series Tuesday.
Wild Card Round Starts Sept. 29
Best-of-three series — lose twice and your October is over. No second chances.
AL Byes: Rays and Guardians
Tampa Bay and Cleveland rest up while waiting for the AL wild card survivors.
NL Byes: Brewers and Dodgers
Milwaukee and Los Angeles earned NL byes and skip the wild card round entirely.
Division Series Begin October 3
Winners advance as the best-of-five division series get underway on October 3.
Guardians Clinch the AL Central
Cleveland sealed the AL Central on Sept. 26 to earn its first-round bye.
The Road to the World Series
From twelve teams to one champion — the road to the World Series begins now.
Follow Every October Game
Tap through our full bracket breakdown for dates, times and matchup analysis.