2026 MLB playoff bracket: Schedule, scores as Guardians and White Sox face off in Game 5 of ALDS
Quick Look
- The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox will play Game 5 of the ALDS on Saturday to determine who advances to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, with Cleveland seeking to become the 11th team to overcome a 0-2 series deficit and Chicago aiming for its first ALCS appearance since 2005.
- The Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers have already advanced to the LCS round.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The 2026 MLB playoffs are underway, with the Division Series determining which teams advance to the League Championship Series. The White Sox and Guardians are tied 2-2 in their ALDS series, while the Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers have already secured LCS berths.
The final spot in the American League Championship Series is on the line Saturday as the White Sox and Guardians face off in Game 5.
Cleveland kept its season alive with a 9-5 road win in Game 4 and are trying to become just the 11th team in MLB history to come back from an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series. Chicago, meanwhile, is trying to reach the ALCS for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. The winner will head to Florida to face the Rays. The loser goes home.
Elsewhere, the Dodgers, Rays and Brewers all advanced to the LCS round on Wednesday night, knocking out the Braves, Yankees and Padres, respectively. The two-time reigning champion Dodgers will face the Brewers in the NLCS for the second straight year, while the Rays await the Guardians-White Sox winner in the ALCS.
The Astros, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies were already knocked out in the best-of-three Wild Card Series last week.
Below is a look at the full 2026 MLB playoff bracket and the playoff schedule.
2026 MLB playoff bracket
2026 MLB playoff schedule
All times Eastern
*if needed
Division Series schedule
Saturday, Oct. 10
ALDS Game 5: White Sox @ Guardians, 8 p.m., TBS/HBO Max (Series tied 2-2)
Division Series scores
Saturday, Oct. 3
ALDS Game 1: White Sox 3, Guardians 0
NLDS Game 1: Dodgers 5, Braves 3
ALDS Game 1: Rays 1, Yankees 0
NLDS Game 1: Brewers 3, Padres 2
Sunday, Oct. 4
NLDS Game 2: Brewers 4, Padres 3
NLDS Game 2: Braves 3, Dodgers 2
Monday, Oct. 5
ALDS Game 2: White Sox 4, Guardians 3
ALDS Game 2: Rays 5, Yankees 2
Tuesday, Oct. 6
NLDS Game 3: Dodgers 3, Braves 1
NLDS Game 3: Padres 4, Brewers 3
Wednesday, Oct. 7
ALDS Game 3: Guardians 9, White Sox 3
NLDS Game 4: Dodgers 4, Braves 1 (Los Angeles wins 3-1)
ALDS Game 3: Rays 4, Yankees 3 (Tampa Bay wins 3-0)
NLDS Game 4: Brewers 3, Padres 1 (Milwaukee wins 2-1)
Thursday, Oct. 8
ALDS Game 4: Guardians 9, White Sox 5
Championship Series
Sunday, Oct. 11
NLCS Game 1: Dodgers @ Brewers, 8 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
Monday, Oct. 12
NLCS Game 2: Dodgers @ Brewers, 5 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
ALCS Game 1: TBD @ Rays, 8 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Tuesday, Oct. 13
ALCS Game 2: TBD @ Rays, 8 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Wednesday, Oct. 14
NLCS Game 3: Brewers @ Dodgers, 8 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
Thursday, Oct. 15
ALCS Game 3: TBD vs. Rays, 6 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 4: Brewers @ Dodgers, 9 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
Friday, Oct. 16
ALCS Game 4: Rays @ TBD, 6 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 5*: Brewers @ Dodgers, 9 p.m., Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Saturday, Oct. 17
ALCS Game 5*: Rays @ TBD, 8 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Sunday, Oct. 18
NLCS Game 6*: Dodgers @ Brewers, 8 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
Monday, Oct. 19
ALCS Game 6*: TBD @ Rays, 5 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 7*: Dodgers @ Brewers, 8 p.m., Fox/FS1/fubo
Tuesday, Oct. 20
ALCS Game 7*: TBD @ Rays, 8 p.m., TBS, truTV, HBO Max
World Series
Friday, Oct. 23
World Series Game 1: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Saturday, Oct. 24
World Series Game 2: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Monday, Oct. 26
World Series Game 3: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Tuesday, Oct. 27
World Series Game 4: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Wednesday, Oct. 28
World Series Game 5*: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Friday, Oct. 30
World Series Game 6*: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Saturday, Oct. 31
World Series Game 7*: Fox/Fox Deportes/fubo
Wild Card Series scores
Tuesday, Sept. 29
NL Wild Card Series Game 1: Braves 5, Phillies 3
AL Wild Card Series Game 1: White Sox 6, Astros 3
AL Wild Card Series Game 1: Yankees 9, Red Sox 0
NL Wild Card Series Game 1: Padres 8, Cubs 0
Wednesday, Sept. 30
NL Wild Card Series Game 2: Phillies 4, Braves 3 (10)
AL Wild Card Series Game 2: White Sox 7, Astros 3 (Chicago wins 2-0)
AL Wild Card Series Game 2: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2 (New York wins 2-0)
NL Wild Card Series Game 2: Padres 4, Cubs 1 (San Diego wins 2-0)
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The winner of the White Sox-Guardians ALDS Game 5 will advance to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.
Very likely · Within days
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers will face each other in the NLCS for the second consecutive year.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Which team will win the ALDS Game 5 between the White Sox and Guardians?
- Will the Cleveland Guardians become the 11th team in MLB history to overcome a 0-2 series deficit?
- Will the Chicago White Sox reach the ALCS for the first time since 2005?
