The Wild Card Series is finally here, and Tuesday’s slate opens with three games that set the tone for the first day of the MLB postseason.
The day starts at 2:00 p.m. ET with Phillies vs.
Braves on NBC and Peacock, followed by White Sox vs. Astros at 5:00 p.m.
ET on Peacock and NBCSN. The nightcap brings Red Sox vs.
Yankees at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Before the first pitch in Philadelphia, there was already plenty of movement around the bracket. The Rotoworld Baseball staff made its Wild Card picks, and the consensus leaned Yankees over Red Sox, White Sox over Astros, Padres over Cubs, and Braves over Phillies. The staff vote came out Yankees (6-1), White Sox (4-3), Padres (4-3), and Braves (4-3).
The biggest immediate roster news belongs to the Yankees and Red Sox. Aaron Judge is officially out for the series after dealing with a calf strain.
He had taken live batting practice on Monday, but the Yankees decided it was still too much to ask for him to be active as he works back from what was described as a “moderate” calf strain. His status will be revisited if New York advances to the Division Series.
New York does, however, get Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham back. Stanton has been out since late April with injuries to both calves, and the expectation is that he’ll be limited to pinch-hitting. Grisham has been sidelined since September 4 with a right hamstring strain, which opened the door for Spencer Jones to handle center field.
Boston also has a notable arm available. Garrett Crochet will be active for the Red Sox after not appearing in a major league game since April 25 because of left shoulder inflammation and lat tightness. He has only progressed to live batting practice since restarting his throwing program, so any workload would be limited, but Boston will gladly take whatever it can get from him with the season on the line.
In Philadelphia, the lineups brought a few wrinkles for Game 1 between the Phillies and Braves. The Phillies have Derek Hill batting fifth against left-hander Chris Sale. With Luiz Arraez out because of an ankle injury, Bryson Stott is back at second base and Edmundo Sosa is starting at third.
Atlanta’s lineup features Mauricio Dubón in the cleanup spot with Jesús Luzardo on the mound for Philadelphia.
The pitching matchup makes this opener especially important. Atlanta does not have much depth behind Sale in the rotation, which raises the stakes for Game 1.
On the other side, Luzardo’s workload is the question, as he continues working back from left shoulder inflammation. If the Phillies steal the opener, Christopher Sánchez is waiting in Game 2, and that’s exactly why this first game carries so much weight for the Braves.
In Other News...
Braves Wild Card Roster Includes Two Surprise Bench Decisions
The Braves Wild Card roster brought a couple of notable bench choices into focus as Atlanta set up for the 2026 NL opener. Non-roster infielders Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams both made the cut after being in the organization before Sept. 1, giving the club additional infield flexibility and some extra matchup options if the games get tight late.
Atlanta also made corresponding roster moves to clear the way, with right-hander Ricky Vanasco designated for assignment and Elieser Hernndez removed from the 40-man roster. The Braves are carrying 11 pitchers for the round, which leaves the bench built around versatility as much as depth, a sign the team is preparing for a short series where one pinch-hit decision can matter just as much as a bullpen call. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Could Get An Early Phillies Test From A Risky Game 1 Plan
The Phillies have already locked up a postseason berth, but their Game 1 Wild Card pitching plan suggests they are willing to get creative right away. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Philadelphia is planning to use Jesus Luzardo as an opener, with Andrew Painter following out of the bullpen, a move that reflects how carefully the club is trying to manage its arms as October begins.
For Atlanta, the setup matters because it could create an early look at a Phillies staff that is being handled with some flexibility and risk. Luzardo is returning from the injured list, which makes the opener idea a little more volatile, and Painter could wind up in a bulk relief role after those first innings. The result is a Game 1 approach that may not look conventional, but it could shape how the Braves would have to attack Philadelphia if the matchup comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Flipped Game 1 Late In A Win Fans Will Debate
For most of Game 1, the Braves and Phillies traded the kind of October blows that can swing a short series before the first night is even over. Philadelphia got the first big hit from Alec Bohm, then the Braves answered through Ozzie Albies, whose RBI triple briefly put Atlanta in front and set up a tense finish that felt every bit like postseason baseball.
JT Realmutos two-run triple pushed the Phillies back ahead, but Atlanta never let the game slip away for long. Austin Riley changed the tone in the eighth with a go-ahead homer that sent the Braves to a 5-3 win, leaving both sides with plenty to unpack after a opener that had momentum shifting almost every inning. [Read more 🡒]