The 2026 MLB postseason is officially heating up and the energy is unmatched. We’re down to the final eight teams, and the bracket is looking spicy. The Braves finally put the Phillies to rest in a decisive Game 3 victory on Thursday night, punching their ticket to the National League Division Series. They’ve got a massive challenge ahead: the two-time reigning champion Dodgers. Talk about main character energy.
The Road to the LDS
The Wild Card Series saw some serious dominance. The White Sox, Yankees, and Padres all swept their series on Wednesday, taking down the Astros, Red Sox, and Cubs respectively. Real talk: the playoff format is unforgiving. Since this specific structure started in 2022, the Game 1 winner has gone on to take the series 19 out of 20 times. Say less—momentum is everything in October.
Who’s Left Standing
While the Wild Card teams were fighting for their lives, the Rays, Guardians, Brewers, and Dodgers were chilling with their byes. Now, the matchups are set:
- ALDS: Rays vs. Yankees and Guardians vs. White Sox.
- NLDS: Brewers vs. Padres and Dodgers vs. Braves.
The Brewers (103 wins) and Dodgers (100 wins) are absolute juggernauts, both hitting triple digits during the regular season. They’ll be hosting their respective Game 1s this Saturday.
Why it matters
With the Wild Card round behind us, we are entering the real deal. The Dodgers are looking to defend their crown, but with teams like the Brewers looking dangerous, the path to the trophy is going to be a total gauntlet. Grab your snacks because the next two weeks of baseball are going to be wild.
