Eight teams are left standing in the 2026 MLB playoffs, and the League Division Series are kicking off this Saturday with an absolute monster four-game slate. We’ve got wild cards that fought their way in, and top seeds who’ve been waiting for their chance, all ready to scrap it out for a spot in the Championship Series.
ALDS Matchups: Yankees-Rays Slugfest and a Shocker in Cleveland
Over in the American League, things are about to get real. The New York Yankees, who just took down the Red Sox in a brutal Wild Card Series, are now staring down the barrel of the AL’s No. 1 seed, the Tampa Bay Rays. Talk about a heavyweight bout right out of the gate! But the real head-scratcher? The Cleveland Guardians snagged the No. 2 seed in the AL, despite rolling into the playoffs with an 85-77 record. You read that right, 85-77. That’s the 10th best record out of the twelve playoff teams, yet they’re sitting pretty with a bye. They’re squaring off against their division rivals, the Chicago White Sox, who just swept the Houston Astros to advance. The White Sox, with their 84 wins, are no slouches and are going to be hungry against the surprisingly high-seeded Guardians.
NLDS Showdowns: Dodgers Eyeing Three-Peat, Brewers Dominate
Now, let’s talk National League. The Atlanta Braves clawed their way past the Philadelphia Phillies, and their reward? A date with the two-time reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Seriously, the Dodgers are looking for a three-peat, and the Braves are the ones standing in their way. That series is gonna be must-watch baseball. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres, fresh off sweeping the Chicago Cubs, are stepping into the ring with the Milwaukee Brewers, a team that absolutely crushed it this year with an insane 103 wins. The Brewers and Dodgers both earned byes straight to the LDS, so they’re rested and ready to defend their turf.
This Saturday, October 3, is packed! The White Sox and Guardians kick off the ALDS at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Braves and Dodgers at 4 p.m. ET. Then it’s the Yankees and Rays at 6:30 p.m. ET, and the Padres and Brewers wrap up the night at 8:30 p.m. ET. Every game matters, and by Friday, October 9, we could see some of these series wrapping up with Game 5s. After that, it’s straight into the Championship Series starting on Sunday, October 11. Can anyone stop the Dodgers? Can the Guardians prove their seeding wasn’t a fluke? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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