The MLB playoffs begin Tuesday with all four wild-card series on the board, and the day is loaded from the first pitch to the last. It starts in Philadelphia, shifts to Houston, moves to the Bronx, and finishes late in San Diego.
The Phillies earned their spot by winning their final regular-season game, and now they get the Braves in Game 1 of a rivalry series. Atlanta cruised to the NL East title and will turn to Chris Sale to open the series.
Philadelphia used Zack Wheeler in Sunday’s season finale and will hand the ball to Jesús Luzardo for the opener. The winner moves on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
In the afternoon, the White Sox visit the Astros. Houston is hosting after winning the AL West with an 81-81 record, while Chicago finished 84-78 but ended up a game behind the Guardians in the AL Central. The winner of that matchup gets the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.
Night baseball brings another familiar heavyweight clash: Red Sox vs. Yankees.
It’s the second straight year these two meet in the wild-card round, and the Yankees took last year’s series in three games after losing Game 1. Boston’s season took a sharp turn thanks to a 15-game winning streak in July, but the offense vanished in September, when the Red Sox scored the fewest runs in MLB with 71.
The Yankees also had the upper hand in their most recent meeting, taking three of four in late August and finishing that set with a 16-1 win. The winner here advances to play the Tampa Bay Rays.
The nightcap should have plenty of juice too, with the Cubs and Padres closing out the wild-card slate. Chicago is led by likely NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong, who hit 45 home runs and stole 41 bases.
San Diego, meanwhile, has been the hottest team in baseball over the past two months, going 41-18 over its final 59 games. The reward for the winner: a date with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.
Elsewhere, Andy Nesbitt also laid out the day’s top non-baseball moments, with Jalen Hurts, LeBron James, Payton Tolle, Stephen Curry and Case Keenum all making the list.
The full Tuesday slate also includes Aces at Fever at 6:30 p.m. ET on Prime, with Indiana back home facing elimination, and Lynx at Liberty at 8:30 p.m.
ET on USA Network and CNBC, as the league’s top seed tries to avoid a sweep on the road. In the NHL, the Panthers visit the Hurricanes at 5 p.m.
ET on ESPN, with Carolina set to raise its championship banner before the season opener.
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 🡒]