MLB Playoff Bracket 2026
The 2026 MLB playoff bracket, updated after every game. AL on the left, NL on the right, meeting in the World Series in the middle. Tap any matchup for the series and game pages.
MLB Playoff Bracket: Wild Card to World Series
American League
Red Sox0
Yankees ✓2
White Sox ✓2
Astros0National League
Cubs0
Padres ✓2
Phillies1
Braves ✓2American League
Yankees0
Rays ✓3White Sox2
Guardians ✓3National League
Padres1
Brewers ✓3Braves1
Dodgers ✓3American League
Guardians2Rays ✓4National League
Dodgers0Brewers ✓4Rays0Brewers22026 MLB Bracket, Round by Round
Wild Card Series Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2026
- AL: No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees Yankees win 2-0
- AL: No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros White Sox win 2-0
- NL: No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres Padres win 2-0
- NL: No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves Braves win 2-1
Division Series Oct 3–10, 2026
- AL: No. 4 Yankees at No. 1 Rays Rays win 3-0
- AL: No. 6 White Sox at No. 2 Guardians Guardians win 3-2
- NL: No. 4 Padres at No. 1 Brewers Brewers win 3-1
- NL: No. 3 Braves at No. 2 Dodgers Dodgers win 3-1
League Championship Series Oct 11–20, 2026
- AL: No. 2 Guardians at No. 1 Rays Rays win 4-2
- NL: No. 2 Dodgers at No. 1 Brewers Brewers win 4-0
World Series Oct 23–31, 2026
- No. 1 Rays at No. 1 Brewers Brewers lead 2-0 · next Mon, Oct 26 · 8:00 PM EDT · Fox
How 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 updates after every game, with each matchup linked to its live score and stats. 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?
Yes. The 12-team field was finalised after the regular season and every matchup above is official.
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 (98-64) as the AL No. 1 seed.
Who has the bye in the NL?
The Milwaukee Brewers (103-59) as the NL No. 1 seed.
Can I fill in my own bracket?
Yes. The playoff predictor lets you pick every winner with the same pairing rules and share the result as a link.