2026 MLB playoff bracket: Schedule, scores as Guardians force Game 5 vs. White Sox in ALDS
Quick Look
- Five teams remain in the 2026 MLB playoffs after the Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers advanced to the League Championship Series by eliminating the Braves, Yankees, and Padres.
- The Dodgers will face the Brewers in the NLCS for the second consecutive year, while the Rays await the winner of the ongoing Guardians-White Sox ALDS, which is tied 2-2 and set for Game 5 on Saturday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The 2026 MLB playoffs began with the Wild Card Series, where the Astros, Red Sox, Cubs, and Phillies were eliminated. The Division Series saw the Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers advance to the Championship Series by defeating the Braves, Yankees, and Padres respectively.
Just five teams remain in the 2026 MLB playoff field. The Dodgers, Rays and Brewers all advanced to the LCS round on Wednesday night, knocking the Braves, Yankees and Padres out, 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.
Guardians vs. White Sox is the only LDS series still going, and Cleveland kept its season alive with a 9-5 road win in Game 4. Chicago is trying to reach the ALCS for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. To do so, it will have to win Game 5 in Cleveland on Saturday night.
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
Thursday, Oct. 8
ALDS Game 4: Guardians 9, White Sox 5 (Series tied 2-2)
Saturday, Oct. 10
ALDS Game 5: White Sox @ Guardians, 8 p.m., TBS/HBO Max
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)
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 Dodgers will win the NLCS against the Brewers
Likely · Within weeks
The Guardians will win the ALDS Game 5 against the White Sox
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- Will the Guardians or White Sox win the ALDS and advance to face the Rays in the ALCS?
- Can the Brewers defeat the Dodgers in the NLCS for the first time since 2020?
- Which team will emerge victorious from the ALCS to face the NLCS winner in the World Series?
