Baseball fans across the country are gearing up for October, when the 2026 MLB postseason kicks off. The first games of the Wild Card round start on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and the World Series is slated to begin on Friday, Oct. 23.
Playoff format remains steady
For the fifth straight season, the playoff structure is unchanged. Each league (American and National) sends six teams: the three division winners and the three best non‑division teams. The two division winners with the best overall records earn a bye to the Division Series.
The remaining four teams in each league compete in the Wild Card round, a best‑of‑three series hosted by the higher seed. The division winner with the worst record faces the lowest‑seeded wild‑card team, while the other two wild‑card teams meet each other.
Seeding and series layout
There is no reseeding after the Wild Card round. The No. 1 seed in each league will face the winner of the No. 4 (first wild‑card) versus No. 5 (second wild‑card) matchup. The No. 2 seed meets the winner of the No. 3 (third division winner) versus No. 6 (third wild‑card) series.
Both the Division Series and the League Championship Series are best‑of‑five and best‑of‑seven, respectively. In each series, the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and, when necessary, Game 5 (Division Series) or Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 (Championship Series and World Series). The lower seed hosts the middle games.
Key dates and broadcast information
The full schedule for every series has already been released. Wild Card games will be shown on NBC and Peacock, Division Series on the same networks, followed by the Championship Series and World Series on FOX. The World Series will follow the traditional format, giving the team with the better regular‑season record home‑field advantage for Games 1, 2, 6 and 7.
With the regular season wrapping up this weekend, most playoff spots are already locked in, though a few wild‑card positions remain contested. Fans can follow the action on national television and streaming platforms, and local markets will carry their teams’ games according to the network agreements.
Teams to watch
Among the contenders, the Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for a third straight championship, while the New York Yankees hope to break through after recent disappointments. Other division winners and wild‑card teams will also be looking to make a deep run.
Stay tuned as the postseason unfolds, and enjoy the excitement of baseball’s biggest month.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
