MLB Postseason 2026

[PARAM]

First off we have to acknowledge the Seattle Mariners. This was their 50th season and they've yet to make it to the World Series. On the other hand, the Brewers, Rays and Padres may have the opportunity to win their first World Series. Old heads like Philadelphia and Cleveland may have a chance to win their 3rd World Series in over 100 years. The two Chicago teams have a chance to win their 4th and Atlanta has a chance to even their World Series record at 6-6. The Dodgers and Red Sox have a chance to win their 10th, while the Yankees have a chance to win their 28th.

The most interesting opportunity, of course, is the Dodgers going for their third straight title. There have been 13 teams win two in a row, besides the 2024-25 Dodgers. 4 of them went on to win that 3rd consecutive World Series. 2 went on to win a 4th consecutive, 1 went on to win a 5th. But the other 8 failed.

-Chicago Cubs won in 1907 & 1908. In 1909 they finished 2nd in the NL to the Pirates, despite 104 wins. Pittsburgh with Honus Wagner won 110.

-The Red Sox won in 1915 & 1916. They finished 2nd in 1917 to the eventual World Series Champion White Sox. Ironic in some ways. The next year the Red Sox won the 1918 World Series but there is an interesting book (The Original Curse) that suggests the Cubs threw that World Series. The following year, the 1919 White Sox did throw the World Series (to Cincinnati). Just can't trust those Chicago teams!!

-The NY Giants won in 1921 & 1922 defeating the Yankees both times. Then the Yankees returned the favor in 1923 preventing the Giants three-peat.

-The 1927 & 1928 NY Yankees won the World Series but finished 2nd to the Philadelphia A's in 1929.

-The Philadelphia A's (later the Kansas City A's, Oakland A's and now just "The A's") won it all in 1929 and 1930. They returned for a three-peat but the St. Louis Cardinals prevented that in a 7 game series

-The NY Yankees won in 1936 & 1937 and again in 1938 to become the first three-peaters, then again in 1939. They finished 3rd in 1940 in their attempt to win 5 straight.

-The NY Yankees won in 1949 and 1950, then beat the NY Giants in 1951 for their 2nd three peat. In 1952 and 1953 they beat the Dodgers to earn their 2nd four-peat and fifth in a row. In 1954 they finished 2nd to Cleveland in the A.L. despite winning 103 games. Man, that was almost 6 in a row!!!

-In 1961 and 62, the Yankees won consecutive World Series but the Dodgers kept them from 3 in a row with a 4 game sweep.

-The Oakland A's won in 1972 and 1973 beating the Reds and Mets, then the Dodgers in 1974 for the three peat. Then in search of 4 in a row, they lost the ALCS to the Red Sox in 1975.

-The Big Red Machine won in 1975 (over Boston) and 1976 (over NY Yankees) but finished 2nd in 1977 to the NL Champion Dodgers in the West

-The NY Yankees won in 1977 and 1978 but finished 4th in 1979, the year they lost their captain Thurman Munsen, in August.

-The Toronto Blue Jays won in 1992 & 1993 but finished 3rd behind the Baltimore Orioles and Division winning NY Yankees in the strike shortened season where there were no winners.

-The Yankees won again in 1998 and 1999, then beat the crosstown NY Mets in the 2000 World Series for their three-peat. In 2001, they were 3 outs away from beating the Arizona Diamondbacks for their 3rd four-peat but Mariano Rivera had a blown save and suffered the loss.

Now the Dodgers have their first chance at a three-peat. IF they make it to the World Series, they will be the 8th of those 14 teams to have the opportunity right in front of them in the Series (3-4 as of now). Going to be fun to watch what happens!!!!

 

[PARAM]

Of course, I got ahead of myself!!!!

Gifting a postseason spot to San Diego, without mentioning Arizona. Plus, I didn't mention Houston or Texas. Tied at 76-76. One is going to be division champ, the other fighting for a wild card. And finally, nary a word about Baltimore or Toronto (last year's A.L. rep in the World Series). They both still have a shot at a wild card spot. Who will it be in the central? Chicago or Cleveland? And will the other get a wild card spot? Incredible.

In the National League the 3 teams currently in a Wild Card spot are within a game and a half of each other. Arizona still has a legit shot 3.5 GB. What order will they finish? Philly looks like the toughest schedule. 4 @ NY Mets, 3 vs Milwaukee and 3 vs Tampa Bay. That's a tough 10 game stretch. San Diego has Colorado tonight, then 3 vs Miami, 3 @ LA Dodgers, then 3 vs Arizona. Arizona gets 3 vs the Yankees, then 6 on the road. 3 @ Colorado, 3 @ S.Diego.

Should be some exciting baseball coming our way the next 11 days.

 

[PARAM]

So, it all comes down to the last 9 games.

The Cubs, Phillies and Padres are all within 1 game of one another. And Arizona is 4 games back. The schedule?

Cubs: 3 @ Cincy; 3 vs Miami, 3 @ Boston
Philly: 3 @ NY Mets; 3 vs Milwaukee; 3 vs Tampa Bay
S.Diego: 3 vs Miami; 3 @ LA Dodgers; 3 vs Arizona
Arizona: 3 vs NYY; 3 @ Colorado; 3 @ S.Diego

In the A.L. two of the three divisions are up for grabs.

Houston leads Texas by 1 game
Houston: 3 vs Atlanta; 2 @ Seattle; 4 @ A's
Texas: 3 vs Toronto; 3 vs NY Mets; 3 @ Minnesota

Chicago and Cleveland are tied
Chicago: 3 vs Detroit; 3 @ Kansas City; 3 vs Colorado
Cleveland: 3 vs A's; 3 @ Boston, 3 @ Kansas City

Whomever loses out on those two divisions isn't guaranteed a wild card berth.
The Yankees have sealed up 1 slot. The Red Sox have a nice lead in a 2nd slot. So probably only 1 slot left. Toronto and Baltimore are still in the running for that one. Just for shits and giggles I included Boston's schedule, which is pretty intimidating.

Toronto: 3 @ Texas, 3 @ Baltimore; 3 vs Cincinnati
Baltimore: 3 vs Milwaukee; 3 vs Toronto; 3 @ NYY
Boston: 3 @ Tampa; 3 vs Cleveland; 3 vs Chicago Cubs

Gonna be a total brawl of a finish!!!! Who ya got??????

 

[snackdaddy]

Dodgers and Brewers have clinched their divisions. Yankees and Rays have clinched a playoff spot. Thats it so far. D-Backs are 4 games back of the Padres. They got some work to do if they want to get in. And they'll need some help.

Rays are likely gonna be the number one seed. Yankees have the second best record in the AL but they're not likely to get a bye. After the first round they won't have home field either.

Brewers are a couple games ahead of the Dodgers for the top seed in the NL. Dodgers are 4 games ahead of the Braves for the second spot and one of the two byes.

Interesting that the White Sox and Guardians are only 3 games over .500. Astros are one game over. Texas is one game under. Yet, one of those teams is gonna get a bye in the first round.

 

[PARAM]

Dodgers and Brewers have clinched their divisions. Yankees and Rays have clinched a playoff spot. Thats it so far. D-Backs are 4 games back of the Padres. They got some work to do if they want to get in. And they'll need some help.

Rays are likely gonna be the number one seed. Yankees have the second best record in the AL but they're not likely to get a bye. After the first round they won't have home field either.

Brewers are a couple games ahead of the Dodgers for the top seed in the NL. Dodgers are 4 games ahead of the Braves for the second spot and one of the two byes.

Interesting that the White Sox and Guardians are only 3 games over .500. Astros are one game over. Texas is one game under. Yet, one of those teams is gonna get a bye in the first round.

I remember somebody just the other day, opining about how lousy the MLB playoffs are....and subsequently how lousy MLB is in general. But what I see is 15 games on the docket today and in 11 of them, somebody is playing for a playoff spot or playoff seeding. In 5 of those 11, both teams are playing for something. That's pretty fucking good. IIRC, the complaint was how many MLB teams make the postseason. It's 40%. In the NFL, it's 43.75%. In the NBA and NHL it's 50%. Seems like baseball, let's the least amount into the dance.

 

[PARAM]

Looks like 5 of the 6 N.L. 2025 participants are back in the postseason.....

Dodgers, Milwaukee, Cubs, Phillies, S.Diego with the new kids being Atlanta

In the A.L. there are going to be 3 new entries

Chicago White Sox, Tampa and either Houston or Texas

3 returning are Boston, Cleveland and the Yankees.

 

[Tano]

Looks like 5 of the 6 N.L. 2025 participants are back in the postseason.....

Dodgers, Milwaukee, Cubs, Phillies, S.Diego with the new kids being Atlanta

In the A.L. there are going to be 3 new entries

Chicago White Sox, Tampa and either Houston or Texas

3 returning are Boston, Cleveland and the Yankees.

Either Texas or Houston has to win 2 out of 3 just to get a 500 record.

That is really pathetic

 

[PARAM]

Either Texas or Houston has to win 2 out of 3 just to get a 500 record.

That is really pathetic

Sure it is. But then again, I don't give a flying fuck about any team (or anything) from Texas. In this case, I have to root for the Rangers to win the West because Houston are the cheating Patriots of MLB. And since Alonso and his 8 rbi lead, is going to prevent Alvarez from winning the Triple Crown, they might as well give the MVP to Caminero!!!!

 

[PARAM]

So the playoff teams are 99% set. Now it's just the seeding. I think the A.L. is set.

1. Tampa
2. Cleveland
3. Houston/Texas
4. NY Yankees
5. Boston
6. Chicago White Sox

The N.L. still might have some changes between 4 & 6.

1. Milwaukee
2. LA Dodgers
3. Atlanta
4. San Diego
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Philadelphia

And my bitch is what happens when the White Sox beat the AL West Champs? They go play Cleveland instead of Tampa? That sucks.

 

[snackdaddy]

So the playoff teams are 99% set. Now it's just the seeding. I think the A.L. is set.

1. Tampa
2. Cleveland
3. Houston/Texas
4. NY Yankees
5. Boston
6. Chicago White Sox

The N.L. still might have some changes between 4 & 6.

1. Milwaukee
2. LA Dodgers
3. Atlanta
4. San Diego
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Philadelphia

And my bitch is what happens when the White Sox beat the AL West Champs? They go play Cleveland instead of Tampa? That sucks.

And you guys have to play Tampa. Well, if you're gonna make it to the World Series you gotta beat them at some point. Maybe a shorter series is an advantage for you guys.

Dodgers are likely gonna face a top two candidate for Cy Young in Chris Sale. If they get past that they face the front runner in Jacob Misiorowski. Tough road if they wanna threepeat.

 

[PARAM]

The match ups.......

Philly (88-74) @ Atlanta (94-68)
Atlanta won the season series 9-4.
Philly went 10-14 in September, Atlanta went 12-12
Philly 4-6 in their last 10, Atlanta 5-5
Winner takes on the Dodgers

Chicago (84-78) @ Houston (81-81)
Houston won the season series 5-2.
Chicago went 12-13 in September, Houston went 11-13.
Chicago 7-3 in their last 10, Houston 5-5
Winner takes on Cleveland

Boston (87-75) @ NY Yankees (93-68)
Yankees won the season series 7-6.
NYY went 15-8 in September, Boston went 12-12
Yankees 5-5 in their last 10, Boston 5-5
Winner takes on Tampa Bay

Chicago (89-73) @ San Diego (91-71)
Chicago won the season series 5-1
Cubs went 11-13 in September, San Diego went 18-6.
Chicago 5-5 in their last 10, San Diego 8-2.
Winner takes on Milwaukee

 

[Rams8821]

Atlanta, CWS, CHC, NYY

 

[PARAM]

Braves up 1-0 after Riley's 8th inning 3 run dinger (5-3).

I was looking over the standings since the chapter and verse this year is the American League sucks. Just two 90 win teams in the A.L this year and 6 in MLB, a low since the 2020 covid season. From 2021 to 2025 there were no fewer than seven 90 win teams in MLB. This year was the first in the last 3 to have a team (2) with 100 wins. Here's how they finished the last 6 years.

2026: 90 win teams = 6 (2 in AL; 4 in NL). 100 win teams = 2 (NL). Best record 103-59 (Milwaukee). WS Winner TBD
2025: 90 win teams = 8 (3 in AL; 5 in NL). 100 win teams = 0. Best record 97-65 (Mil). WS Winner 93-69 (LA) 4th best record.
2024: 90 win teams = 7 (3 in AL; 4 in NL). 100 win teams = 0. Best record 98-64 (LA Dodgers). WS Winner 98-64 (LA) #1 record
2023: 90 win teams = 8 (4 in AL; 4 in NL). 100 win teams = 3 (1 in AL; 2 in NL). Best record 104-58 (Atlanta). WS Winner 90-72 (Texas/WC) 8th best record
2022: 90 win teams = 9 (5 in AL; 4 in NL). 100 win teams = 4 (1 in AL; 3 in NL). Best record 111-51 (LA Dodgers). WS Winner 106-56 (Hou) 2nd best record
2021: 90 win teams 11 (7 in AL; 4 in NL). 100 win teams = 3 (1 in AL; 2 in NL). Best record 107-55 (SF). WS Winner 88-72 (Atlanta) 12th best

 

[PARAM]

The Yankees scored 9 runs but I'm not gloating. No, I am gloating but not about that. Home grown Yankees went 11 for 18, scored 8 of the runs, drove in 8, pitched 6.33 innings allowing 2 hits, a walk and no runs. And Judge wasn't one of them. If I'm not mistaken though, another farmhand took a no-hitter into the 7th against the Cubs.

 

[PARAM]

Philly still alive after 3 home runs win the game for them. As late long time Yankee radio voice, John Sterling used to say. "they went back to back and belly to belly!!!". The Phillies became the sixth team in MLB history to hit three or more home runs in the eighth inning or later of a playoff game. My question is, who is on the mound tomorrow? I suspect Aaron Nola. I know it's Johnny Allstaff in the bullpen for both teams.

And as I typed that, Chase Meidroth just hit a 3 run homer in the top of the 6th to put Chicago up 7-3. Their first hit since the first inning (also by Meidroth). The funny thing is in the bottom of the 5th with the score 4-3, the Astros had guys on first and second, one out with Alvarez up. He had a 3-0 count but flew out to left on a 3-1 pitch. After a walk to Paredes, Altuve flew out (with Altuve having a chance to tie Manny Ramierez for most post season homers). As a baseball fan, and particularly a Yankee fan, I take great pleasure in any losses the cheating Astros suffer. Game headed to the 7th.

 

[snackdaddy]

When a series goes all 3 games I didn't know the higher seeds gets all 3 at home.

 

[Rams8821]

When a series goes all 3 games I didn't know the higher seeds gets all 3 at home.

Hope it goes 27 innings tomorrow.

 

[PARAM]

So 3 down, 1 to go. Prime time tonight will decide the final wild card series. Rumor is Aaron Nola goes for Philadelphia. Which, if all goes well for the Phillies, leaves Zack Wheeler to open against the Dodgers. But we all know the saying about "best laid plans".

Atlanta or Philly vs Los Angeles
After going 26-25 in July and August, the Dodgers finished strong going 18-7 in September.
Who would the Dodgers prefer to face? The proper answer is "it doesn't matter, we're going to three-peat anyway". No matter who they face, it'll be a team who didn't finish the season strong. Atlanta went 12-12 in September, while Philly went 10-14. But which team would they really prefer to face to begin their historic journey becoming the 3rd franchise to three-peat? I think they might prefer Philly. They went 4-2 vs Philly and 1-5 vs Atlanta. They also beat Philly 3-1 last year in the NLDS despite hitting just .199 in the series.

The three matchups that are set?????

San Diego vs Milwaukee
Hottest team in MLB vs the best record in MLB.
The Padres have won 19 of their last 22 games.
Milwaukee has won 15 of their last 18 games.
Something has got to give. Should be an awesome series.

NY Yankees vs Tampa Bay
Best record among Wild Card teams vs the best record in the A.L.
Tampa has won 15 of their last 22
Yankees have won 14 of their last 20
NY won 3 of 4 vs Tampa last week.
Should be another good series. Low payroll vs High payroll.

Chicago vs Cleveland
85-77 vs 86-78
Cleveland finished the season 9-2 and went 16-9 in September
Chicago went 12-13 in September but took 2 of 3 from Cleveland.
The season series was 7-6 Chicago.
The thought might be, "who cares outside of the midwest? They'll only serve as fodder in the next series". But that "best laid plans" thing might have some say.

 

[snackdaddy]

Milwaukee was the top team. They have the likely Cy Young winner. But San Diego has been the hottest team down the stretch. They dispatched a good Cubs team rather easily. That's gonna be an interesting series.

 

[PARAM]

Milwaukee was the top team. They have the likely Cy Young winner. But San Diego has been the hottest team down the stretch. They dispatched a good Cubs team rather easily. That's gonna be an interesting series.

The Brewers have been to the postseason 8 of the last 9 years. 2 LCS losses among them. I remember the American League Brewers and the series they lost to the Cardinals. They had a 3 games to 2 lead but blew it. And that team was stacked. Hall of Famers, Molitor, Yount, and Simmons, along with Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas, Jim Gantner, Charlie Moore and Don Money. Pete Vuckovich won 18 games, Mike Caldwell had 17 wins and Ex-Dodger Don Sutton went 17-9.

They weren't playing a bunch of bums. The Cardinals had an excellent team. George Hendrick, Keith Hernandez, Ozzie Smith (HOF), Darrell Porter, Lonnie Smith, Willie McGee as well as Joaquin Andujar and Bob Forsch on the mound and a great closer in Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter. In my humble opinion Keith Hernandez should be in the HOF. One of the best first baseman, ever and a .296 lifetime average? Come on!!!

Sutton was terrible in game 6 giving up 7 runs in less than 5 innings and it was over before the Brewers knew it. They lost that game 13-1 and though they led game 7, 3-1 after scoring 2 in the top of the 6th, the Cardinals got to Vuckovich (who's arm was ailing....he would only win 8 more games in his career) in the bottom of the 6th taking a 4-3 lead and added 2 for good measure in the bottom of the 8th. That was really the last time the Brewers sniffed a Championship.