MLB Playoff Bracket 2026
Projected 2026 MLB playoff bracket based on today’s standings: 6 teams per league, the top 2 seeds in each league get a bye, and the Wild Card pairs seeds 3 v 6, 4 v 5. The bracket becomes official when the regular season ends. Updated Sep 17, 2026 5:53 AM EDT.
MLB Playoff Bracket: Wild Card to World Series
CWSWhite Sox
TEXRangers
BOSRed Sox
NYYYankees
TBRays
CLEGuardians
MILBrewers
LADDodgers
SDPadres
ATLBraves
PHIPhillies
CHCCubsHow the MLB Playoff Bracket Is Built
Seeds 1-6
Three division winners, then three wild cards, ranked by record and tiebreakers in each league.
Round one
3 v 6, 4 v 5. The top 2 seeds in each league get a bye; the higher seed hosts every game.
No reseeding
The 4/5 winner always meets the No. 1 seed and the 3/6 winner the No. 2 seed; the bracket is fixed from the first pitch.
World Series home field
Goes to the pennant winner with the better regular-season record, Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. Game 1 is Oct 23, 2026.
The MLB playoff bracket above is projected from today’s standings and becomes the official bracket the night the regular season ends. For dates and first pitch times see the playoff schedule; to see who is still fighting for these spots, open the playoff picture, or pick your own bracket.
MLB playoff bracket FAQ
Is the MLB playoff bracket set?
Not yet. The bracket above is projected from today’s standings and becomes official on Sep 27, 2026.
How does the MLB playoff bracket work?
Six seeds per league. In the Wild Card Series the pairings are 3 v 6, 4 v 5 while seeds 1-2 rest. The bracket is fixed: no reseeding.
Does the MLB reseed after the Wild Card?
No. The 4/5 winner always meets the No. 1 seed and the 3/6 winner meets the No. 2 seed, whatever the seeds of the winners.
Who gets home-field advantage in the bracket?
The higher seed in every series through the LCS; in the World Series, the pennant winner with the better regular-season record.
Who has the bye in the AL?
The Tampa Bay Rays (92-59) as the AL No. 1 seed, if the season ended today.
Who has the bye in the NL?
The Milwaukee Brewers (95-57) as the NL No. 1 seed, if the season ended today.
Can I fill in my own bracket?
Yes. The playoff predictor lets you pick every winner with the same reseeding rules and share the result as a link.