ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 01: Signage in Truist Park during the Philadelphia Phillies versus the Atlanta Braves in game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on October 1st, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Eight MLB teams remain in the hunt for the 2026 World Series title as the playoffs move into the Division Series. The San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees all ousted their Wild Card round opponents in two games, while it took the Atlanta Braves three games to end the Philadelphia Phillies’ season.
In the American League (AL), both best-of-five series feature division rivals vying for a spot in the AL Championship Series. In the National League (NL), the Padres, Braves and Milwaukee Brewers will look to prevent the Los Angeles Dodgers from winning a third consecutive NL pennant.
White Sox at Cleveland Guardians (1:00 PM EDT)
The battle-tested Guardians barely eclipsed the upstart White Sox down the stretch for the American League Central title and first-round bye. Now these two Midwest rivals will duke it out for a semifinal spot.
Coming in hot after sweeping the American League West champion Houston Astros, the White Sox will look to continue their Cinderella season. However, the rested Guardians will pose a tougher test than the Astros.
Chicago will employ the same pitching strategy that worked in the series opener in Houston. Rookie left-hander Hagen Smith will serve as the opener again. Cleveland will counter with rookie left-hander Parker Messick (12-9, 2.56 ERA), who was among the top rookie pitchers in baseball this season.
Chase leads us off for Game 1 pic.twitter.com/foAl5pE1Ku
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 3, 2026
Postseason baseball. Today.#GuardsBall | #StandGuardpic.twitter.com/cPVqNgWrbD
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 3, 2026
Braves at Dodgers (4:00 PM EDT)
In pursuit of a three-peat, the superstar-laden Dodgers aren’t messing around. Left-hander Tarik Skubal (12-7, 2.72 ERA), the biggest name traded at this season’s trade deadline, will start Los Angeles’ postseason opener.
Braves ace left-hander Chris Sale entered in relief to record the final outs of the Wild Card Series, making him unlikely to pitch until Game 2 or 3 of this series. Atlanta will instead roll with a bullpen game today.
Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (6:30 PM EDT)
This series is truly a David vs. Goliath matchup, as the Yankees have historically experienced more success and operated with a higher payroll. However, the small-market Rays punched above their weight by winning the most games in the AL and capturing the division title.
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff played a significant role in the team’s successful 2026 campaign. This could be a low-scoring series, as New York’s pitching staff is also stellar at run prevention. The Yankees will also be without Aaron Judge for a second straight postseason series.
Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will make his 23rd career postseason start. He will be opposed by Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who has considerably less postseason experience.
Padres at Brewers (8:30 PM EDT)
This matchup between the Padres and the Brewers could result in a classic Division Series, given the number of quality players each of these teams has.
The Padres will face a rested Brewers squad that won an MLB-high 103 games this season. Left-hander Robbie Ray, acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline, will make his first postseason appearance with San Diego.
Flame-throwing phenom Jacob Misiorowski will start for the Brewers. The 24-year-old right-hander is favored to win the NL Cy Young Award after finishing the season with a 16-5 record, a 1.80 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP and 252 strikeouts over 174 2/3 innings.
The Padres, Brewers and Rays have yet to win a World Series. Will one of these teams make history this fall, or will their drought continue?