MLB Playoffs 2026: Bracket, Schedule, Scores & Playoff Picture
The Brewers beat the Rays 4-1 to win the 2026 World Series. It is the first World Series title in franchise history. Every series and score of the postseason is below.
12teams6 per league
Sep 29 – Oct 1Wild Cardbest of 3
Oct 3–10LDSbest of 5
Oct 11–20LCSbest of 7
Oct 23World Seriesbest of 7 · FOX
Countdown toWorld SeriesFriday, October 23, 2026 · 8:00 PM EDT · Home park of the pennant winner with the better record
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2026 World Series: Brewers vs Rays
| Game | Date | Matchup | Result / first pitch | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Fri, Oct 23 | Rays at Brewers | Brewers 3-2 | American Family Field |
| Game 2 | Sat, Oct 24 | Rays at Brewers | Brewers 5-4 | American Family Field |
| Game 3 | Mon, Oct 26 | Brewers at Rays | Brewers 10-1 | Tropicana Field |
| Game 4 | Tue, Oct 27 | Brewers at Rays | Rays 4-3 | Tropicana Field |
| Game 5 | Wed, Oct 28 | Brewers at Rays | Brewers 4-1 | Tropicana Field |
Every game is on Fox. Games marked if necessary are played only if the series is still going. Times show in your time zone.
Road to the World Series
Milwaukee BrewersNo. 1 seed · 103-59 regular season · 7-1 before the World Series
- Wild CardBye (top-two seed)
- LDSBeat the Padres 3-1
- LCSBeat the Dodgers 4-0
Tampa Bay RaysNo. 1 seed · 98-64 regular season · 7-2 before the World Series
- Wild CardBye (top-two seed)
- LDSBeat the Yankees 3-0
- LCSBeat the Guardians 4-2
2026 MLB Playoff Bracket
2026 World Series championMilwaukee Brewers
Wild Card SeriesSep 29 – Oct 1, 2026
American League
Yankees win 2‑0
5
Red Sox0
Red Sox04
Yankees ✓2
Yankees ✓2White Sox win 2‑0
6
White Sox ✓2
White Sox ✓23
Astros0
Astros0National League
Padres win 2‑0
5
Cubs0
Cubs04
Padres ✓2
Padres ✓2Braves win 2‑1
6
Phillies1
Phillies13
Braves ✓2
Braves ✓2Division SeriesOct 3–10, 2026
American League
Rays win 3‑0
4Yankees0
Yankees01Rays ✓3
Rays ✓3Guardians win 3‑2
6White Sox2
White Sox22
Guardians ✓3
Guardians ✓3National League
Brewers win 3‑1
4Padres1
Padres11Brewers ✓3
Brewers ✓3Dodgers win 3‑1
3Braves1
Braves12
Dodgers ✓3
Dodgers ✓3League Championship SeriesOct 11–20, 2026
American League
Rays win 4‑2
2Guardians2
Guardians21Rays ✓4
Rays ✓4National League
Brewers win 4‑0
2Dodgers0
Dodgers01Brewers ✓4
Brewers ✓4World SeriesOct 23–31, 2026
Brewers win 4‑1
1Rays1
Rays11Brewers ✓4
Brewers ✓4AL Wild CardSep 29 – Oct 1, 2026
AL LDSOct 3–10, 2026
AL LCSOct 11–20, 2026
World SeriesOct 23–31, 2026
NL LCSOct 11–20, 2026
NL LDSOct 3–10, 2026
NL Wild CardSep 29 – Oct 1, 2026
2026 MLB Playoff Schedule and TV
| Dates | Round | Format | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2026 | Wild Card Series | Best of 3. The higher seed hosts every game | NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Network |
| Oct 3–10, 2026 | Division Series | Best of 5. Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and 5 (2-2-1) | NLDS on FOX, FS1 and FOX Deportes; ALDS on TBS, truTV and HBO Max |
| Oct 11–20, 2026 | League Championship Series | Best of 7. Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 (2-3-2) | NLCS on FOX, FS1 and FOX Deportes; ALCS on TBS, truTV and HBO Max |
| Oct 23–31, 2026 | World Series | Best of 7. The pennant winner with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 | FOX and FOX Deportes |
Game times are set a day or two ahead and update here automatically. Full schedule with scores →
How the MLB Playoffs Work
- Who qualifies: in each league, the three division winners (seeds 1-3, by record) and the three best remaining records (wild cards, seeds 4-6).
- Byes: seeds 1 and 2 skip the Wild Card Series, which is best of three and played entirely at the higher seed: No. 3 hosts No. 6, No. 4 hosts No. 5.
- No reseeding: the 4/5 winner plays No. 1 and the 3/6 winner plays No. 2. Division Series best of five, League Championship Series and World Series best of seven.
- Ties and home field: standings ties are broken by tiebreakers, with no Game 163; World Series home field goes to the pennant winner with the better record.
World Series Champions
| Year | Champion | Series | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 4-3 | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 4-1 | New York Yankees |
| 2023 | Texas Rangers | 4-1 | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2022 | Houston Astros | 4-2 | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2021 | Atlanta Braves | 4-2 | Houston Astros |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 4-2 | Tampa Bay Rays |
| 2019 | Washington Nationals | 4-3 | Houston Astros |
| 2018 | Boston Red Sox | 4-1 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2017 | Houston Astros | 4-3 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2016 | Chicago Cubs | 4-3 | Cleveland Indians |
The Dodgers won in 2024 and 2025, the first back-to-back champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wild card win the World Series?
Yes. The 2023 Texas Rangers and the 2019 Washington Nationals both won it as wild cards.
Is there a Game 163 for ties?
No. Since 2022, ties in the standings are settled by tiebreakers, starting with head-to-head record, instead of an extra game.
Who won the 2025 World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3 over the Toronto Blue Jays; Yoshinobu Yamamoto was World Series MVP.