The Major League Baseball regular season is over and the playoff matchups are set, which means the excitement really begins.
The league's postseason kicks off with a Wild Card quadruple-header Tuesday and Wednesday. This year, the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers
, have their sights set on a third consecutive World Series championship, a feat last accomplished by the New York Yankees from 1998-2000.Eager to watch some postseason baseball? Here's what you need to know, including which teams are in the running for the World Series.
When do the 2026 MLB playoffs start?
The 2026 MLB postseason schedule kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a quadruple-header featuring all four wild card series.
Here's a breakdown of the MLB playoff schedule:
- Wild Card Series: Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
- Division Series (American/National): Saturday, Oct. 3-10 (if necessary).
- National League Championship Series: Oct. 11-19 (if necessary).
- American League Championship Series: Oct. 12-20 (if necessary).
- World Series: Oct. 23-31 (if necessary).
Are the Reds in the 2026 MLB playoffs?
The Cincinnati Reds did
not make the 2026 MLB playoffs. Last year, the Reds clinched the playoffs, taking the final National League Wild Card spot, but were eventually swept in two games by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cincinnati ended the regular season with a 75-87 record, finishing in last place in the National League Central.
Which MLB teams are in the 2026 postseason?
Here are the 12 teams looking to make it to the 2026 MLB World Series.
- Tampa Bay Rays.
- Cleveland Guardians.
- Houston Astros.
- New York Yankees.
- Boston Red Sox.
- Chicago White Sox.
- Milwaukee Brewers.
- Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Atlanta Braves.
- San Diego Padres.
- Chicago Cubs.
- Philadelphia Phillies.
MLB wild card series schedule
Tuesday, Sept. 29:
- NL Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves. First pitch is at 2 p.m. ET (NBC and Peacock).
- AL Game 1: Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros. First pitch is at 5 p.m. ET (Peacock and NBCSN).
- AL Game 1: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees. First pitch is at 8 p.m. ET (NBC and Peacock).
- NL Game 1: Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres. First pitch is at 10 p.m. ET (Peacock and NBCSN).
Watch the MLB Wild Card Series on Peacock
Wednesday, Sept. 30:
- NL Game 2: Phillies at Braves at 2 p.m. ET (NBC and Peacock).
- AL Game 2: White Sox at Astros at 5 p.m. ET (Peacock and NBCSN).
- AL Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees at 8 p.m. ET (NBC and Peacock).
- NL Game 2: Cubs at Padres at 10 p.m. ET (Peacock and NBCSN).
Thursday, Oct. 1 (if necessary):
- NL Game 3: Phillies at Braves at 2 p.m. ET.
- AL Game 3: White Sox at Astros at 5 p.m. ET.
- AL Game 3: Red Sox at Yankees at 8 p.m. ET.
- NL Game 3: Cubs at Padres at 10 p.m. ET.
When is the 2026 World Series?
The best-of-seven World Series will begin on Oct. 23 at the home park of the team with the better regular-season record.
- Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23.
- Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24.
- Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26.
- Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27.
- Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 28 (if necessary).
- Game 6: Friday, Oct. 30 (if necessary).
- Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 31 (if necessary).
Who won the 2025 MLB World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers took home the 2025 MLB World Series trophy. The team, headed by Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts (to name a few), has won the World Series each of the last two seasons.
The team now looks to become the first NL team in history to three-peat.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Batter up! MLB playoffs start Tuesday. See Wild Card matchups, how to watch
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