# MLB Playoffs 2026 (incl. World Series) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [September 27, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429 "2026-09-27T23:27:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/1 "2026-09-27T23:27:30Z")
From my post in the September thread: So the field is set. ## **American League** ### **On to the Divisional Round** - Tampa Bay Rays (Best Record) - Cleveland Guardians ### **Wild Card Round** - Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros (Division Winner) (and even this Cubs fans says, “Go Sox!”) - Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees ## **National League** ### **On to the Divisional Round** - Milwaukee Brewers (Best Record)\* - Los Angeles Dodgers ### **Wild Card Round** - Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves (Divisional Winner) - Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres - Go Cubs Go!!! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/2 "2026-09-27T23:45:38Z")
Yanks should beat Redsox but then we face Tampa. Yanks offense is weak and bullpen iffy. Only the starters are strong. **Brackets** : > **[The playoff field is set! See the final bracket](https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-playoff-picture-and-bracket-2026)** > > It came down to the wire, but the 2026 postseason field is now set. > On the final day of the regular season, the Phillies clinched the third National League Wild Card spot with a 7-3 win over the Rays, holding off a late surge from the D-backs.... ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/3 "2026-09-28T21:21:58Z")
Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski had a fantastic season. He finished as the NL pitching leader in the following statistical categories: - ERA (1.80) - Strikeouts (252) - WHIP (0.802) - Opponent batting average (.157) - Strikeout percentage (37.9%) - fWAR (6.6) - ERA+ (232) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/4 "2026-09-29T14:47:34Z")
All times EDT 2pm on NBC: Phillies @ Braves. 5pm on Peacock: Whitesox @ Houston. 8:00pm on NBC & streams on Peacock. **Yanks** hosting Boston, likely AL Cy Young Cam Schlittler for the Yanks and Tolle for the Red Sox. He’s a lefty. Aaron Judge is not on the Roster. 10:pm on Peacock, Cubs @ San Diego Yanks have the 8pm slot on NBC for all 3 games if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/5 "2026-09-29T14:52:35Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Yanks have the 8pm slot on NBC for all 3 games if needed. Now that’s a shocker! Seriously, though, Yankees/Red Sox is the most compelling series of the opening round. (Apologies to fans of the other six franchises!) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/6 "2026-09-29T14:56:44Z")
If the Cubs had drawn the Dodgers, they would have needed to make a decision, but yes, Yanks vs Red Sox is going to draw the most views this year. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/7 "2026-09-29T16:00:14Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Seriously, though, Yankees/Red Sox is the most compelling series of the opening round. I live in the Boston area, and am equally as interested in watching the White Sox beat the Cheat-stro’s. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/8 "2026-09-29T16:03:43Z")
That is one data point. The 4 top rated teams for pulling eyeballs are Yanks, Cubs, Red Sox & Dodgers, so Yanks vs Red Sox is a huge draw. Rooting against the Cheatstro’s is popular, but White Sox have a smallish fan base and almost no national audience. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/9 "2026-09-29T17:39:17Z")
Aaron Judge won’t be playing in the Wild Card round, due to his calf injury, but Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham will be. > **[Aaron Judge won't play ALWCS; Giancarlo Stanton makes roster](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/50058710/aaron-judge-not-yankees-roster-alwcs-source-confirms)** > > Aaron Judge will not play for the Yankees in the AL Wild Card series, but Giancarlo Stanton -- who hasn't played in over five months -- was included on the roster. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/10 "2026-09-29T20:25:36Z")
Frankly, as a Sox fan I’m glad that Stanton is in the lineup, that should work best for us all things considered. This remark may come to burn me later this week. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/11 "2026-09-29T21:41:49Z")
Time for the 'Stros to break out the trash cans. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/12 "2026-09-29T21:49:29Z")
On the roster, but I think he’s expected to pinch hit. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/13 "2026-09-30T00:11:07Z")
Good start, White Sox beat Astros 6-3. Also, Braves won 5-3 over Phillies. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/14 "2026-09-30T00:25:08Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > White Sox beat Astros 6-3 And it could have been much, much worse. ChiSox were 4-11 with runners in scoring position, which is okay. Not great, but okay. But they left 9 runners on base and grounded into 3 double plays. Astros only had 6 hits and were 0-6 with RISP. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/15 "2026-09-30T01:53:50Z")
Ben Rice just greeted the reliever with a home run to the monuments, dead center. 2-0 lead now for Yankees. Top of the 6th, probably Cam’s last inning. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/16 "2026-09-30T02:05:39Z")
And Cam got through 6 with 10 Ks, 1 walk and 1 hit. No runs. Hopefully the bullpen can hold it and hopefully yanks can add more runs. ETA: Surprisingly Cam starts the 7th. Career High pitches now 117 and a 2nd hit. I hate these 8:00 starts. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/17 "2026-09-30T03:10:13Z")
Holy shit, Rice just hit his second 400’+ homer of the night. This one a grand salami! 4 for 5, 2 HRs, a double and a single with 6 RBIs. **Yanks up 9-0 in the 8th.** Sadly, Cubs down 0-3 to Padres. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/18 "2026-09-30T03:40:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Sadly, Cubs down 0-3 to Padres. Now down 0-7; the Cubs have been held hitless through the first five innings. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/19 "2026-09-30T20:38:12Z")
Braves and Phillies tied up at 3 in the 8th. Bryce Harper misjudged a fly ball which led to 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh and a 3-1 lead for the Phillies. But Schwarber and Harper opened the 8th with back-to-back dingers to tie the game, now going into the bottom of the inning. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429/20 "2026-09-30T21:01:52Z")
Now top of the tenth. Nail biter… Aaaaand, Bohm with a homer! 4-3 Phils! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2026-incl-world-series/1033429.md?page=2)