New York Yankees’ Ben Rice reacts after hitting a solo home run in front of Tampa Bay Rays catcher Liam Hicks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Wild Card week arrives with big storylines
Major League Baseball doesn’t waste time delivering drama. The Wild Card Series begins Tuesday with four best‑of‑three matchups spread across both leagues, setting the tone for a postseason loaded with rivalries, superstar talent, and teams fighting to stay alive.
In the American League, the Boston Red Sox head to Yankee Stadium for another chapter in their historic rivalry. The Chicago White Sox travel to Houston to face an Astros team that reached October despite finishing at .500. Over in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Atlanta Braves, while the Chicago Cubs head west to face the San Diego Padres.
Four teams earned a bye into the Division Series: Cleveland and Tampa Bay in the AL, and the two‑time defending champion Dodgers along with the Brewers in the NL. They’ll spend the week resting after the grind of a 162‑game season.
Red Sox vs. Yankees: familiar foes, major questions
Boston and New York meet in the Wild Card Series for the second straight year. Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, the likely AL Cy Young winner, starts Game 1 after posting a 1.95 ERA. The biggest question is whether Aaron Judge will be available. He missed the final week with a calf strain, shortly after returning from a broken rib.
The Red Sox surged back into contention after a rough start and a midseason managerial change. Chad Tracy stabilized the clubhouse and guided Boston from 32‑46 to a postseason berth.
White Sox vs. Astros: two unpredictable paths
Chicago became the first team to follow back‑to‑back 100‑loss seasons with a playoff appearance. Their lineup features Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami, and Colson Montgomery. Houston’s season was turbulent, but Yordan Alvarez powered the Astros to another AL West title.
Phillies vs. Braves: rivals collide
Atlanta enters with a deep roster led by Chris Sale, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Ozzie Albies. Philadelphia barely secured a spot on the final day but still brings Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and a strong rotation capable of making noise.
Cubs vs. Padres: star power everywhere
Pete Crow‑Armstrong leads the Cubs after a 45‑homer season. San Diego counters with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and one of baseball’s best bullpens anchored by Mason Miller.
Playoff format and schedule
Twelve teams qualify, six per league. The top two seeds in each league advance directly to the Division Series. The remaining eight play best‑of‑three Wild Card matchups hosted entirely by the higher seed. Winners move on to the Division Series, followed by the League Championship Series and the World Series.
Wild Card Series runs Sept. 29–Oct. 1, followed by Division Series action Oct. 3–10, Championship Series Oct. 11–20, and the World Series Oct. 23–31.
