MLB Divisional Series 2026 Schedule: Bracket, date, time and where to watch every game in next Playoffs round
Eight teams will battle for four Championship Series places as the 2026 postseason moves into its next stage
The 2026 MLB playoffs are already thinning out, with three Wild Card series decided and only one matchup left to settle. The Division Series begins Saturday, bringing the league’s top seeds back into action and setting up four best-of-five battles for places in the LCS.
The next stage of the 2026 MLB postseason is almost set. The Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres have all advanced through the Wild Card Series, leaving only Philadelphia and Atlanta to determine the final Division Series participant.
That last spot will be decided Thursday night, with the winner earning a matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers .
The Division Series begins Saturday, October 3, with four games spread across the day. Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee and Los Angeles all earned byes through the first round and will host the opening games of their respective series.
How the 2026 Division Series bracket looks
The American League side is already complete. Chicago will travel to Cleveland after sweeping Houston, while the Yankees move on to face Tampa Bay after eliminating Boston in two games.
The National League has one confirmed matchup, with San Diego advancing to face Milwaukee after sweeping the Cubs.
The other series will pit the winner of Philadelphia-Atlanta against the Dodgers.
That gives the next round this shape:
American League : Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland
American League : New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay
National League : San Diego Padres vs Milwaukee
National League : Philadelphia/Atlanta winner vs Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB Division Series 2026 schedule and TV channels
- Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, Game 1 — 1 p.m. — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max - Philadelphia/Atlanta winner at Los Angeles Dodgers, Game 1 — 4 p.m. — FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One - New York Yankees at Tampa Bay, Game 1 — 6:30 p.m. — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max - San Diego Padres at Milwaukee, Game 1 — 8:30 p.m. — FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One
- San Diego at Milwaukee, Game 2 — 4 p.m. — FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One - Philadelphia/Atlanta winner at Los Angeles, Game 2 — 8 p.m. — FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One
- Chicago at Cleveland, Game 2 — 5 p.m. — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max - New York at Tampa Bay, Game 2 — 8 p.m. — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max
- Milwaukee at San Diego, Game 3 — FOX/FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One - Los Angeles at Philadelphia/Atlanta winner, Game 3 — FOX/FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX One
- Tampa Bay at New York, Game 3 — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max - Cleveland at Chicago, Game 3 — TBS, truTV, UniMas, HBO Max - Milwaukee at San Diego, Game 4 — if necessary - Los Angeles at Philadelphia/Atlanta winner, Game 4 — if necessary
- Tampa Bay at New York, Game 4 — if necessary - Cleveland at Chicago, Game 4 — if necessary
- San Diego at Milwaukee, Game 5 — if necessary - Philadelphia/Atlanta winner at Los Angeles, Game 5 — if necessary
- New York at Tampa Bay, Game 5 — if necessary - Chicago at Cleveland, Game 5 — if necessary
What comes next in the MLB playoffs?
The National League Championship Series is scheduled to begin Sunday, October 11, with the American League Championship Series starting Monday, October 12.
The World Series is set to open Friday, October 23, with home-field advantage in Games 1 and 2 going to the league champion with the better 2026 regular-season record.
