The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason is officially underway with four games on Tuesday, all Games 1 of the best-of-3 wild card series. And due to a combination of injuries and some of these teams scrambling to even make the postseason, three of the eight teams involved will use a bullpen game in their first game of the postseason.
The Philadelphia Phillies had a free fall until finally winning Sunday to clinch the final National League wild card spot, but had to use Zack Wheeler to do it. Jesús
Luzardo had a great season in the Phillies rotation but missed three weeks on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He’s back but will be the opener on Tuesday, with Andrew Painter expected to log some innings as well against the Braves, who have the luxury of going with ace Chris Sale in Game 1.
The Dodgers will await the winner of the Phillies-Braves series in the NLDS.
In Game 1 in Houston, both the 81-81 Astros and 84-78 White Sox will each use bullpen games.
Every game of the wild card round will be televised by NBC or NBC Sports Network, with all games streamed on Peacock.
Tuesday wild card schedule
11 a.m. PT: Phillies at Braves
Luzardo, et al vs. Chris Sale
NBC, Peacock
2 p.m.: White Sox at Astros
Dueling bullpen games
NBC Sports Network, Peacock
5 pm.: Red Sox at Yankees
Payton Tolle vs. Cam Schlittler
NBC, Peacock
7 p.m.: Cubs at Padres
Matthew Boyd vs. Michael King
NBC Sports Network, Peacock
