MLB Playoff Schedule 2026: Full Bracket, Scores, TV Channels, and Times
- The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason opens with twelve teams competing for the Commissioner's Trophy, beginning a month of elimination baseball across multiple broadcast networks.
- The 2026 postseason introduces a new broadcast arrangement for the opening round.
- Fans can stream every postseason game outside of Peacock exclusives using DIRECTV, which provides a free trial for new subscribers.
The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason opens with twelve teams competing for the Commissioner’s Trophy, beginning a month of elimination baseball across multiple broadcast networks. Sporting News reported that the tournament features the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers as favorites, alongside regular-season league leaders who are seeking their first World Series titles.
Broadcast Channels and Streaming Options for the 2026 Postseason
The 2026 postseason introduces a new broadcast arrangement for the opening round. NBC carries every wild card game across its platforms, including NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Following the opening round, the broadcast rights return to their traditional rotation. Fox and FS1 air the National League games, while TBS covers the American League. The World Series broadcasts on Fox, maintaining a partnership that has run annually since 2000.
Fans can stream every postseason game outside of Peacock exclusives using DIRECTV, which provides a free trial for new subscribers. Fubo offers a free trial that covers games airing on NBC, NBCSN, Fox, and FS1.
Playoff Contenders and Health Concerns in Los Angeles
The Dodgers enter October as the two-time defending champions, though Sporting News noted that the team did not secure a dominant regular-season record. Los Angeles also faces questions regarding the physical condition of Shohei Ohtani as the playoffs begin. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays earned the best regular-season records in the National and American Leagues respectively, though neither franchise has captured a World Series title.
Braves and Other Teams Advance to Division Series
The opening wild card round concluded with decisive series outcomes across both leagues. The Braves and Phillies series required three games, with the Braves advancing 6-2 on October 1 after splitting the first two games. The Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox, and the San Diego Padres swept the Chicago Cubs.
The Division Series matchups advanced through early October. In the American League, the White Sox and Guardians met while the Rays faced the Yankees. In the National League, the Dodgers played the Braves and the Brewers matched up against the Padres. Games continue through October 10 if full five-game series are necessary.
World Series Begins October 23
If necessary, the league pennant series will extend as late as October 20. The World Series is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 23, on Fox, with a potential Game 7 set for Saturday, October 31.