wild-card series

ESPN has published predictions for the 2026 MLB playoffs, covering every round from the wild-card series through the World Series. The piece lays out how its writers expect the postseason bracket to unfold, with picks advancing round by round. Baseball fans are weighing in on whether the projected matchups and eventual champion match their own expectations.

The 2026 MLB wild-card series is underway, and fans are looking up how to watch the opening round of the baseball playoffs. Coverage includes the full postseason schedule, broadcast details and matchups as teams begin their run toward the World Series. Interest centers on which clubs advance past the best-of-three wild-card round.

The MLB postseason wild-card round is here, with previews and predictions circulating for four matchups: Red Sox-Yankees, Cubs-Padres, Phillies-Braves and White Sox-Astros. Coverage focuses on series picks, X-factors and key players who could decide each matchup, including renewed attention on the historic Boston-New York rivalry, as fans and analysts debate which teams will advance.

The Yankees face a lineup decision ahead of their AL wild-card series against the Boston Red Sox: whether to sit Jazz Chisholm Jr. when Boston starts left-hander Payton Tolle. The matchup has sparked debate among fans over whether New York will prioritize the platoon advantage or keep its star infielder in the lineup for a win-or-go-home playoff series.

Sports Illustrated has published an MLB roundtable in which its writers make their picks for the Wild-Card Round and predict which team will win the World Series. The item gathers varied expert opinions on the postseason matchups as the playoffs get underway, giving fans a snapshot of which clubs writers fancy to make a deep October run.