The 2026 MLB Wild Card round delivered three sweeps and one winner take all showdown.
Four teams moved on to the Division Series.
This shapes the MLB playoff picture.
- New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox 2-0, winning Game 2, 9-2. Cody Bellinger drove in four runs, including a three run homer. New York now faces the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.
- Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros 2-0, finishing with a 7-3 win in Game 2. Chase Meidroth hit a three run homer, while Chicago secured its first postseason series victory since 2005. The White Sox advance to face the Cleveland Guardians.
- San Diego Padres swept the Chicago Cubs 2-0, winning Game 2, 4-1. The Padres’ bullpen allowed just two hits over the final 5⅔ innings. San Diego advances to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in the decisive Game 3. Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson all homered as Atlanta booked a spot against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
✅ Teams advancing to the Division Series
AL: Yankees • White Sox; NL: Padres • Braves. Additionally, this reflects the MLB playoff picture.
⚾ MLB Division Series Preview
Today, the Wild Card round is over and all four Division Series begin Saturday, with eight teams remaining.
🕐 White Sox vs Guardians — ALDS
The MLB playoff picture: Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Guardians.
Chicago swept Houston and now faces the AL Central champion Guardians.
The White Sox hit 211 home runs during the regular season.
Cleveland relied more heavily on pitching and manufacturing runs.
Cleveland’s rookie left hander Parker Messick is scheduled to start Game 1.
Additionally, the players to watch are Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, José Ramirez, Parker Messick, and Aussie Travis Bazzana.
🔵 Braves vs Dodgers — NLDS
The Atlanta Braves face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Following their 6-2 win over Philadelphia in Game 3, Atlanta advances past the Wild Card Series.
Now they’ll face a Dodgers team that won 100 games during the regular season.
Additionally, Los Angeles also added left-hander Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline.
Furthermore, watch list includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman.
🗽 Yankees vs Rays — ALDS
New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees swept Boston and scored 18 runs in two games. Tampa Bay won 98 games and captured the AL East, with third baseman Junior Caminero hitting 42 home runs during the regular season. Aaron Judge remains a major storyline after missing the Wild Card Series with a calf injury.
Players to watch: Cody Bellinger, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Junior Caminero.
Padres vs. Brewers — NLDS
San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers
San Diego swept the Cubs and now travels to face the NL Central champion Brewers. Moreover, The Padres took four of six meetings between the teams during the regular season. Fernando Tatis Jr. enters the series after posting a 1.066 OPS with eight homers in September.
Players to watch: Fernando Tatis Jr., Mason Miller.
Additionally, Jacob Malinowski and Logan Henderson are also on the radar.
🔥 Saturday’s big story
Four series. Four Game 1s. No team has room for a slow start in a best of five Division Series. The first games begin with White Sox Guardians before Braves Dodgers, Yankees Rays and Padres Brewers round out the day.
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