That’s a wrap! 162 games have passed, and the Major League Baseball postseason is approaching. 12 contenders climbed the rankings for months; now, they hope to be crowned champions. There have been countless moments that define a season, but it all comes down to who performs in October. It’s an exciting time for baseball fans, especially for ones who root for a playoff team. It all begins on September 29. Will the Los Angeles Dodgers threepeat, or will someone dethrone the back-to-back World Series titleholders?
The Dodgers have been a juggernaut for a while, but nothing compares to their last two years of dominance. Prior to the 2024 season, the organization signed future Hall of Fame superstar Shohei Ohtani to a monster contract. Since then, there have been high expectations, which have been fulfilled. Los Angeles beat the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays in consecutive World Series matchups. Both are American League East teams who were defeated in 2024 and 2025.
The playoff field in 2026 tends to be stronger in the National League than the American League, but upsets happen frequently. For instance, the Houston Astros clinched the American League West with an 81-81 record, the lowest for a postseason team in league history. Other subpar teams based on regular season success also made the playoffs in the AL, such as the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians. Subsequently, there’s a clean slate, and teams can get hot at any moment, starting with the Wild Card.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who were the last team to secure a wild card spot, will face a familiar foe in the Atlanta Braves. The two National League East teams will display CY Young-caliber pitchers during the 3-game series: Chris Sale of the Braves, along with Christopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler representing the Phillies. Fans would say Philadelphia has the best playoff atmosphere, nicknamed “Red October,” but they would have to beat the Braves in Atlanta to claim the city’s prized possession.
The Houston Astros, regardless of their underwhelming record, are set to take on baseball’s biggest surprise in the Chicago White Sox. Recently, the White Sox have been a laughingstock in the MLB for owning 100-plus losses for three straight seasons, but this year managed to hover above a .500 record. On paper their win total doesn’t stand out, but under the circumstances, it’s an impressive turnaround for Chicago. This series may get overlooked; however, one of these teams could go deep in the playoff bracket.
Baseball is viewed as America’s pastime, and what could be better than the two biggest rivals featured in the postseason? The Boston Red Sox will meet the New York Yankees in the Bronx, and the tension has been brewing from their previous wild card contest last year. Boston-raised Cam Schlittler takes the ball for the Yankees as he looks to build off his recent success against his hometown team. Schlittler, who’s greatly despised by Red Sox fans, played the biggest role in eliminating them in 2025; now he looks to set the tone in 2026.
Lastly, the San Diego Padres will host the Chicago Cubs for a headline-making series on the West Coast. The game will spotlight Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s becoming one of the most influential players in the game. The MVP favorite is an elite hitter and fielder while being one of the fastest in the league. As of late, there have been no answers to stop him, so the Padres must pitch him wisely. San Diego is one of the swaggiest teams in the league, led by Fernando Tatis Jr., who is also one of the league’s top hitters. Not long ago, Tatis had the treatment that Crow-Armstrong is receiving, so it’s fascinating how they meet up in the first round as MLB superstars.
As four Wild Card series are taking place, there are four other teams with a first-round BYE. The clubs consist of the first and second seeds, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cleveland Guardians, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Postseason baseball is here, and the fall classic waits for the best teams in the country. Who wants it the most?