2026 MLB playoff bracket: Schedule, scores, where to watch as Dodgers advance to NLCS, Guardians stay alive
Quick Look
- In the 2026 MLB playoffs, the Dodgers defeated the Braves 4-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS to become the first team to advance to the Championship Series, while the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-3 in ALDS Game 3.
- The Yankees face elimination at home against the Rays, and the Brewers look to close out the Padres in a decisive Game 5.
- The playoff field has been reduced from 12 to eight teams after the Wild Card Series.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The 2026 MLB playoffs began with the Wild Card Series, reducing the field from 12 to eight teams. The Division Series are now underway, with teams competing in best-of-five series to advance to the Championship Series.
Four League Division Series elimination games are on the schedule in the 2026 MLB playoffs on Wednesday. The Guardians, Braves, Yankees and Padres needed wins to extend their seasons, while the White Sox, Dodgers, Rays and Brewers entered one victory away from reaching the LCS round.
In the National League, the Dodgers became the first team to advance to the Championship Series by eliminating the Braves with a Game 4 win behind a strong pitching performance from Tyler Glasnow. The White Sox, meanwhile, suffered their first loss in the 2026 postseason at home in Game 3 as Cleveland took down their AL Central rivals to stay alive in the ALDS.
Elsewhere, the Yankees need to win at home to keep their season alive and avoid a sweep against the Rays. They'll send Max Fried to the mound and try to play a cleaner game after committing four errors in a Game 2 loss on Monday. The Brewers again have a chance to close out the Padres after San Diego stayed alive with a tense 4-3 victory on Tuesday night.
The 12-team playoff field is down to eight as the Astros, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies were 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
Wednesday, Oct. 7
ALDS Game 3: Guardians 9, White Sox 3 (Chicago leads 2-1)
NLDS Game 4: Dodgers 4, Braves 1 (Los Angeles wins 3-1)
ALDS Game 3: Rays @ Yankees, 8 p.m., TBS/HBO Max (Tampa Bay leads 2-0)
NLDS Game 4: Brewers @ Padres, 10 p.m. FS1/fubo (Milwakee leads 2-1)
Thursday, Oct. 8
ALDS Game 4: Guardians @ White Sox, 5 p.m., TBS/HBO Max
ALDS Game 4*: Rays @ Yankees, 8 p.m., TBS/HBO Max
Friday, Oct. 9
NLDS Game 5*: Padres @ Brewers, 4:30 p.m., FS1fubo
Saturday, Oct. 10
ALDS Game 5*: White Sox @ Guardians, 5 p.m., TBS/HBO Max
ALDS Game 5*: Yankees @ Rays, 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
Championship Series
Sunday, Oct. 11
NLCS Game 1: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Monday, Oct. 12
ALCS Game 1: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 2: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Tuesday, Oct. 13
ALCS Game 2: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Wednesday, Oct. 14
NLCS Game 3: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Thursday, Oct. 15
ALCS Game 3: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 4: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Friday, Oct. 16
ALCS Game 4: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 5*: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Saturday, Oct. 17
ALCS Game 5*: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Sunday, Oct. 18
NLCS Game 6*: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Monday, Oct. 19
ALCS Game 6*: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 7*: Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Tuesday, Oct. 20
ALCS Game 7*: 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)
Open Questions
- Will the Yankees avoid elimination against the Rays?
- Can the Brewers close out the Padres in Game 5?
- Will the Guardians force a decisive Game 5 against the White Sox?
