2026 MLB playoff bracket: Schedule, scores, where to watch as Dodgers, Rays advance to LCS, Yankees eliminated
Quick Look
- The Dodgers defeated the Braves 4-1 in Game 4 of the NLDS to reach the NLCS for the third straight year, while the Rays swept the Yankees with a 4-3 win in Game 3 of the ALDS to eliminate New York.
- The Guardians kept their ALDS hopes alive with a 9-3 victory over the White Sox, and the Brewers trail the Padres 2-1 in the NLDS with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night.
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 is now underway, with the Dodgers and Rays advancing to the Championship Series after winning their respective 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. This marks their third straight appearance in the NLCS. Just a few hours later, the Rays joined them by sweeping the Yankees and eliminating them from the postseason. 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.
In the late slate, 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 six, as 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
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 4, Yankees 3 (Tampa Bay wins 3-0)
NLDS Game 4: Brewers @ Padres, 10 p.m. FS1/fubo (Milwakee leads 2-1)
Thursday, Oct. 8
ALDS Game 4: Guardians @ White Sox, 8 p.m., TBS/HBO Max
Friday, Oct. 9
NLDS Game 5*: Padres @ Brewers, 8 p.m., FS1/fubo
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
Championship Series
Sunday, Oct. 11
NLCS Game 1: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Monday, Oct. 12
ALCS Game 1: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 2: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Tuesday, Oct. 13
ALCS Game 2: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Wednesday, Oct. 14
NLCS Game 3: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Thursday, Oct. 15
ALCS Game 3: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 4: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Friday, Oct. 16
ALCS Game 4: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 5*: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Saturday, Oct. 17
ALCS Game 5*: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Sunday, Oct. 18
NLCS Game 6*: Dodgers vs. TBD, Fox/FS1/Fox Deportes/fubo
Monday, Oct. 19
ALCS Game 6*: TBS, truTV, HBO Max
NLCS Game 7*: Dodgers vs. TBD, 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)
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Dodgers will advance to the World Series
Likely · Within weeks
The Guardians will force a Game 5 in the ALDS against the White Sox
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- Who will the Dodgers face in the NLCS?
- Can the Guardians overcome the White Sox in the ALDS?
- Will the Brewers force a Game 5 against the Padres?
- Which teams will meet in the World Series?
