The 2026 MLB regular season has ended, leaving a finalized postseason bracket and a playoff race set to ignite on Sept. 29. The Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers have secured the top seeds in their leagues, while the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres hold the highest wild-card positions.
The Fight for the Top Seed
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed the top spot with a 103-59 record, followed closely by the Los Angeles Dodgers at 100-62. The Atlanta Braves (94-68) and San Diego Padres (91-71) round out the top four. Over in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays finished as the No. 1 seed with a 98-64 record. They are followed by the Cleveland Guardians (85-77), the Houston Astros (81-81), and the New York Yankees (93-68).
The Astros and Braves entered the bracket as third seeds in their respective leagues as division winners. The Yankees and Padres advanced via the wild card.
Wild Card Opening Salvos
The postseason begins Sept. 29. The National League wild-card action opens at 2 p.m. ET with the Phillies facing the Braves on NBC and Peacock, followed by the Cubs and Padres at 10 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
The American League follows a similar schedule. The White Sox take on the Astros at 5 p.m. ET via Peacock and NBCSN, while the Red Sox and Yankees clash at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Road to the Division Series
The division series (ALDS/NLDS) are scheduled to begin Oct. 3. The matchups depend entirely on the wild-card results.
As the AL No. 1 seed, the Rays will host whichever team emerges from the Red Sox-Yankees series. In the NL, the Brewers await the winner of the Cubs-Padres matchup. The Yankees’ path to the fourth seed was unconventional; despite their 93-68 record, they secured the spot following a final game against Baltimore that was canceled due to weather.
Broadcasts and the World Series
Games will be broadcast across NBC, Peacock, and regional networks.
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