EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAs the final month of the MLB regular season begins, some teams are already thinking about October while others gear up for the pennant races ahead.The Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs all have National League playoff spots seemingly locked up. Likewise, the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are well on their way to October appearances in the American League.Beyond those top teams, there are many storylines to watch down the stretch: Where do current playoff matchups stand? What games should you be watching each day leading up to October? Who will clinch the first postseason berth? And what does the playoff schedule look like?Here's everything you need to know as the regular season hits the homestretch.Key links: Full MLB standings | Wild-card standingsJump to: Bracket | Next to clinch | AL odds | NL odds | Key games What are the current MLB playoff matchups?American League Wild-card round: (6) Guardians at (3) Astros, (5) Red Sox at (4) YankeesALDS: Guardians/Astros vs. (2) White Sox, Red Sox/Yankees vs. (1) RaysNational League Wild-card round: (6) Padres at (3) Braves, (5) Phillies at (4) CubsNLDS: Phillies/Cubs vs. (2) Dodgers, Padres/Braves vs. (1) BrewersWho can clinch a playoff spot next?The Brewers, Dodgers, Braves, Cubs, Rays and Yankees all have at least a 99% chance of making the postseason entering the final month of the MLB season.Breaking down the AL raceThe Rays, Yankees and Red Sox are battling for the AL East crown with all very likely to be playing in October. The Chicago White Sox are trying to hold off the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are all part of a muddled AL West and wild-card picture.And what about when these teams get to the postseason? Here's what their chances are for every round:Breaking down the NL raceThe Brewers, Dodgers and Braves all have comfortable division leads meaning the NL intrigue will likely come in the wild-card races. The Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies have started to separate themselves there with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks among those battling for a spot. And what about when these teams get to the playoffs? Here's what their chances are for every round:Games to watchLooking for something to watch today? Here are the playoff implications of every MLB matchupPlayoff scheduleHere's the 2026 MLB postseason schedule, from the wild-card round through the World Series.Wild-card seriesBest of threeTuesday, Sept. 29ALWC A, Game 1ALWC B, Game 1NLWC A, Game 1NLWC B, Game 1Wednesday, Sept. 30ALWC A, Game 2ALWC B, Game 2NLWC A, Game 2NLWC B, Game 2Thursday, Oct. 1ALWC A, Game 3 *ALWC B, Game 3 *NLWC A, Game 3 *NLWC B, Game 3 ** If necessaryDivision seriesBest of fiveSaturday, Oct. 3ALDS A, Game 1ALDS B, Game 1NLDS A, Game 1NLDS B, Game 1Sunday, Oct. 4NLDS A, Game 2NLDS B, Game 2Monday, Oct. 5ALDS A, Game 2ALDS B, Game 2Tuesday, Oct. 6NLDS A, Game 3NLDS B, Game 3Wednesday, Oct. 7ALDS A, Game 3ALDS B, Game 3NLDS A, Game 4*NLDS B, Game 4*Thursday, Oct. 8ALDS A, Game 4*ALDS B, Game 4*Friday, Oct. 9NLDS A, Game 5*NLDS B, Game 5*Saturday, Oct. 10ALDS A, Game 5*ALDS B, Game 5** If necessaryLeague championship seriesBest of sevenSunday, Oct. 11NLCS Game 1Monday, Oct. 12ALCS Game 1NLCS Game 2Tuesday, Oct. 13ALCS Game 2Wednesday, Oct. 14NLCS Game 3Thursday, Oct. 15ALCS Game 3NLCS Game 4Friday, Oct. 16ALCS Game 4NLCS Game 5*Saturday, Oct. 17ALCS Game 5*Sunday, Oct. 18NLCS Game 6*Monday, Oct. 19ALCS Game 6*NLCS Game 7*Tuesday, Oct. 20ALCS Game 7** If necessaryWorld SeriesBest of sevenGame 1: Friday, Oct. 23Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 28*Game 6: Friday, Oct. 30*Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 31** If necessary
