The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason has moved into the Division Series stage. After twelve teams entered the playoffs, nine remain after the Wild Card round. The American League (AL) sees the New York Yankees (No. 4 seed) and Chicago White Sox (No. 6 seed) advance, while the National League (NL) features the San Diego Padres (No. 4 seed) moving forward.
Wild Card results
Each of the three advancing clubs earned a sweep in the Wild Card Series. The Yankees eliminated the Boston Red Sox (No. 5 seed) in two straight games, showcasing a dominant offensive performance. Chicago’s White Sox rolled past the Houston Astros (No. 4 seed), delivering the franchise its first postseason series win in more than twenty years. San Diego’s Padres dispatched the Chicago Cubs (No. 5 seed) with a clean‑sheet victory.
The only Wild Card matchup still undecided is the series between the Atlanta Braves (No. 3 seed) and the Philadelphia Phillies (No. 6 seed). That series will conclude Thursday night with a decisive Game 3.
Division Series matchups
With the Wild Card round complete, the Division Series introduce the top two seeds from each league, who received byes past the opening round. In the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays (No. 1 seed) and the Cleveland Guardians (No. 2 seed) await their opponents. In the NL, the Milwaukee Brewers (No. 1 seed) and the two‑time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers (No. 2 seed) sit ready.
The AL side of the bracket will feature two divisional showdowns:
- New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians
Over in the NL, the Brewers will meet the Padres, while the Dodgers await the winner of the Braves‑Phillies series.
Schedule and broadcast details
All four Division Series matchups start Saturday, Oct. 3, and run through Oct. 10. The format remains best‑of‑five, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.
Broadcast partners are split by league. Every ALDS game will be televised on TBS and streamed live via HBO Max, the TBS website and the TBS mobile app. NLDS contests will be shown on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on FOX One and the FOXSports.com platform.
How to follow the action
Fans can track the series through the official MLB bracket, which does not reseed teams after the Wild Card round. This means the matchups listed above will remain fixed through the Division Series, preserving the path to the Championship Series for each club.
For those who prefer streaming, the MLB website and its mobile app will also provide live updates, scores and highlights throughout the week. Local sports bars and community centers are expected to host viewing parties, offering families and fans a chance to gather and support their favorite teams in a family‑friendly environment.
What’s at stake
Advancing from the Division Series moves a team into the League Championship Series, one step away from the World Series. The Dodgers, seeking a third consecutive title, will look to defend their crown, while the Rays aim to capitalize on their No. 1 seed advantage. In the AL, the Yankees hope to add another pennant to their storied history, and the White Sox aim to build on their long‑awaited postseason breakthrough.
Baseball fans across the nation, and especially those in the teams’ home markets, can expect high‑stakes, competitive baseball as the 2026 playoffs progress toward October’s ultimate showdown.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
