After the MLB playoff field was lowered from 12 to eight this week, the next round of the postseason is just about here.
For remaining teams and its fanbases, it’s the calm before the storm on Friday, Oct. 2.
There’s a brief break in the action ahead of the division series in the National and American leagues getting underway.
The top two seeds in both leagues host the first two games in their respective series, starting Saturday, Oct. 3, after not playing in the wild-card round.
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers, baseball’s best team, faces the a team that is just as hot as them in the No. 4 San Diego Padres, while the second-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers begin their quest at a World Series three-peat when they face the Atlanta Braves, who won their first postseason series since winning the Fall Classic five years ago.
In the American League, it’s divisional rivals meeting in the division round. The No. 2 Cleveland Guardians and No. 6 Chicago White Sox, both of the AL Central, are squaring off, and the No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays play the No. 4 New York Yankees, both of the AL East.
Here’s what to know about the MLB playoff schedule, including the upcoming schedule, updated bracket, TV channels and more:
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy looks on prior to the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Sept. 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
1 / 13Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy looks on prior to the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Sept. 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
2 / 13Robert Gasser of the Milwaukee Brewers is taken out of game by manager Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on September 13, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
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8 / 13Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2), designated hitter Christian Yelich (22), and manager Pat Murphy (49) before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, July 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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10 / 13Manager Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers argues a call with third base umpire Alan Porter in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
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12 / 13Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) signs autographs prior to the game against the against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix, Feb. 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images
13 / 13There are not any MLB playoff games on Oct. 2.
It’s a built-in day off between the end of the wild-card round and the start of all the division series in both leagues on Oct. 3.
It’s a new group of stations for the next round of the playoffs.
After all of the wild-card games were on the NBC family of networks or streaming services, the division series are on multiple networks.
The National League’s games will be on Fox or FS1, while the American League’s games will be on TBS and truTV.
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28 / 28Eight teams are left in the 2026 MLB playoffs, four in each league:
- Milwaukee Brewers (1)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
Atlanta Braves (3)
San Diego Padres (4)
Tampa Bay Rays (1)
Cleveland Guardians (2)
New York Yankees (4)
Chicago White Sox (6)
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Two teams in each league were eliminated during the wild-card round. Three of the four series were two-game sweeps.
In the National League, the fifth-seeded Chicago Cubs lost to the fourth-seeded San Diego Padres in two games, and the sixth-seeded Philadelphia Phillies had their season end at the hands of the Atlanta Braves in a decisive Game 3.
In the American League, there were a pair of sweeps. The fifth-seeded Boston Red Sox had no answer for the New York Yankees, while the third-seeded Houston Astros lost both of their home games to the upstart Chicago White Sox.
Brice Turang’s dramatic, ninth-inning walk-off home run on Mother’s Day to give the Brewers a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees was one of the top moments from the season.
It was one of Turang’s career-high 19 home runs so far in 2026.
Scroll through this gallery for highlights of the second baseman’s season.
1 / 14Brice Turang’s dramatic, ninth-inning walk-off home run on Mother’s Day to give the Brewers a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees was one of the top moments from the season.
It was one of Turang’s career-high 19 home runs so far in 2026.
Scroll through this gallery for highlights of the second baseman’s season.
2 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) throws to first base to complete a double play against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park, Sept. 16, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images
3 / 14MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 12: Brice Turang (2) of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by third base coach Matt Erickson (68) after Turang hit a two-run home run in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on Sept. 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
4 / 14Brice Turang (2) of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by third base coach Matt Erickson (68) after hitting a three-run home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on Sept. 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
5 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates a walk offf hit by right fielder Luis Lara (18) (not pictured) in the tenth inning against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field on Sept. 8, 2026 in Milwaukee. Photo by Michael McLoone/Imagn Images
6 / 14Brice Turang (2) celebrates with Jackson Chourio after defeating the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sept. 02, 2026 in Chicago. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
7 / 14Center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) of the New York Mets steals second while second baseman Brice Turang (2) of the Milwaukee Brewers misses the out in the second inning at Citi Field on Aug. 25, 2026 in New York City. Photo by Benjamin B. Braun/Getty Images
8 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates with third base coach Matt Erickson after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at American Family Field on June 16, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Benny Sieu/Imagn Images
9 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) high fives catcher William Contreras (24) after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field on May 19, 2026 in Chicago. Photo by Matt Marton/Imagn Images
10 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) is swarmed by his teammates after hitting a walk off home run during the ninth inning of their game against the New York Yankees Sunday, May 10, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Brewers beat the New York Yankees 4-3. Photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
11 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 10, 2026. Photo by Benny Sieu/Imagn Images
12 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) throws to first base to retire Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks (not pictured) during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, April 18, 2026. Photo by Sam Navarro/Imagn Images
13 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates after scoring against the Miami Marlins during the tenth inning at loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida on April 17, 2026. Photo by Sam Navarro/Imagn Images
14 / 14Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) rounds first base after hitting a double during the sixth inning of their game against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, March 30, 2026 American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Here’s the schedule for each of the four division series matchups:
- Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1
Game 2: 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1
Game 3: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Petco Park in San Diego, FS1
Game 4: 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at Petco Park in San Diego, FS1 (if necessary)
Game 5: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1 (if necessary)*
Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1
Game 2: 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1
Game 3: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Petco Park in San Diego, FS1
Game 4: 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at Petco Park in San Diego, FS1 (if necessary)
Game 5: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, FS1 (if necessary)*
*Game time would move to 7 p.m. if it’s the only remaining National League game
- Game 1: 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Fox
Game 2: 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, FS1
Game 3: 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Truist Park in Atlanta, FS1
Game 4: 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Truist Park in Atlanta, FS1(if necessary)
Game 5: 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Fox (if necessary)*
Game 1: 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Fox
Game 2: 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, FS1
Game 3: 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Truist Park in Atlanta, FS1
Game 4: 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Truist Park in Atlanta, FS1(if necessary)
Game 5: 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Fox (if necessary)*
Jake Bauers (9) of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a single scoring two runs in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on Sept. 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher / Getty Images
1 / 13Jake Bauers (9) of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a single scoring two runs in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on Sept. 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher / Getty Images
2 / 13Jake Bauers (9) of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on Sept. 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher / Getty Images
3 / 13Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz (3), first baseman Jake Bauers (9), shortstop Cooper Pratt (12), and second baseman Brice Turang (2) hug after the victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park Sept. 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by Katie Stratman / Imagn Images
4 / 13Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Jake Bauers (9) reacts after hitting a two run home run in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at American Family Field Aug. 22, 2026, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Benny Sieu / Imagn Images
5 / 13Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) scores on a single by William Contreras as Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) and catcher Cal Raleigh (29) try to make the play during the first inning of their game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
6 / 13Jake Bauers (9) of the Milwaukee Brewers gets dunked after hitting a walk-off single in the tenth inning for a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on Aug. 9, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
7 / 13Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) is doused with water by teammates after a game-winning hit against the Minnesota Twins in tenth innings at American Family Field Aug. 9, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo by Michael McLoone / Imagn Images
8 / 13Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Jake Bauers (9) reacts after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium July 9, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Jeff Curry / Imagn Images
9 / 13Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Jake Bauers (9) dives and avoids the tag from St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jose Fermin (15) during the second inning at Busch Stadium July 9, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Jeff Curry / Imagn Images
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13 / 13- Game 1: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV
Game 2: 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV
Game 3: 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Yankee Stadium in New York, TBS and truTV
Game 4: 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Yankee Stadium in New York, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 5: 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 1: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV
Game 2: 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV
Game 3: 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Yankee Stadium in New York, TBS and truTV
Game 4: 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Yankee Stadium in New York, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 5: 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
- Game 1: Noon Oct. 3 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV
Game 2: 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV
Game 3: 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Rate Field in Chicago, TBS and truTV
Game 4: 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Rate Field in Chicago, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 5: 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 1: Noon Oct. 3 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV
Game 2: 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV
Game 3: 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at Rate Field in Chicago, TBS and truTV
Game 4: 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Rate Field in Chicago, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
Game 5: 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, TBS and truTV (if necessary)
*Game time would move to 7 p.m. if it’s the only remaining American League game
Here’s the full bracket for the 2026 MLB playoffs as of Oct. 1:
Best of three, seeds in parentheses
- Chicago Cubs (5) at San Diego Padres (4); Padres win series, 2-0
Philadelphia Phillies (6) at Atlanta Braves (3); Braves win series, 2-1
Chicago Cubs (5) at San Diego Padres (4); Padres win series, 2-0
Philadelphia Phillies (6) at Atlanta Braves (3); Braves win series, 2-1
- San Diego Padres (4) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (1), series begins Oct. 3
Atlanta Braves (3) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2), series begins Oct. 3
San Diego Padres (4) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (1), series begins Oct. 3
Atlanta Braves (3) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2), series begins Oct. 3
Best of three, seeds in parentheses
- Chicago White Sox (6) at Houston Astros (3); White Sox win series, 2-0
Boston Red Sox (5) at New York Yankees (4); Yankees win series, 2-0
Chicago White Sox (6) at Houston Astros (3); White Sox win series, 2-0
Boston Red Sox (5) at New York Yankees (4); Yankees win series, 2-0
- New York Yankees (4) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (1), series begins Oct. 3
Chicago White Sox (6) vs. Cleveland Guardians (2), series begins Oct. 3
New York Yankees (4) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (1), series begins Oct. 3
Chicago White Sox (6) vs. Cleveland Guardians (2), series begins Oct. 3
Rays/Yankees vs. Guardians/White Sox
Jacob Misiorowski is following his impressive rookie season with a dominant second year for the Milwaukee Brewers in what could end up being the best pitching season in team history.
The 24-year-old is the MLB-leader in ERA (1.62), WHIP (0.76) and strikeouts (167) and has set the record multiple times for fastest pitch ever for a starting pitcher.
It earned him his second All-Star Game appearance and he’s a leading candidate for the NL Cy Young Award.
Scroll through this gallery for highlights and stats from Misirowoski’s 2026 season, including all the mind-boggling strikeout numbers to the record-setting pitches.
1 / 29Jacob Misiorowski is following his impressive rookie season with a dominant second year for the Milwaukee Brewers in what could end up being the best pitching season in team history.
The 24-year-old is the MLB-leader in ERA (1.62), WHIP (0.76) and strikeouts (167) and has set the record multiple times for fastest pitch ever for a starting pitcher.
It earned him his second All-Star Game appearance and he’s a leading candidate for the NL Cy Young Award.
Scroll through this gallery for highlights and stats from Misirowoski’s 2026 season, including all the mind-boggling strikeout numbers to the record-setting pitches.
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9 / 29Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski is a popular player at the MLB All-Star festivities in Philadelphia July 13.
However, he won’t pitch in the game.
10 / 29In Misiorowski’s last start before the All-Star break on July 7, he tossed 11 strikeouts and zero walks across seven innings in the Brewers’ 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
It moved him to 10-4 on the season.
The 103 pitches were his second most of the season and third time he topped 100 this year.
11 / 29Jacob Misiorowski earned his ninth win of the season and threw another quality start, allowing only one run and just two hits across six innings in a Brewers 6-2 over the Chicago Cubs on June 26 at American Family Field.
In the first inning of the game, Misiorowski threw a pitch 105.5 mph, breaking his own record for fastest ever for a starting pitcher and tied for the third-fastest tracked by any pitcher ever.
12 / 29Misiorowski followed up his historic start against the Phillies with a solid showing against another NL East opponent, though it ended in a loss.
He pitched six innings, struck out seven and walked one in a Brewers 3-2 loss. It snapped an eight-game streak of Misiorowski allowing one or fewer runs.
13 / 29Misiorowski reacts after the final out of the ninth inning in the team’s 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on June 12 in one of the greatest pitching performances in Brewers history.
He had a career-high 15 strikeouts and faced the minimum in his first complete-game shutout of his career.
It was his seventh start in his last eight that he didn’t allow a run.
14 / 29Jacob Misiorowski broke his own record by throwing a 104.5 mph pitch in the first inning against the Phillies on June 12.
Fellow All-Star William Contreras was his battery mate for the game.
15 / 29In the high altitude of Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, Misiorowski threw seven innings, eight strikeouts and one run (zero earned runs) in a Brewers 7-1 win on June 6.
Misiorowski’s ERA dropped to 1.50.
16 / 29Against the Rockies, Misiorowski first 30 fastballs all hit triple digits, including a 103.7-mph pitch to Kyle Karros that was the fastest pitch ever tracked by a starting pitcher. He would later break his own record twice in the ensuing month.
17 / 29Misiorowski was masterful in Houston as the Brewers won 2-0 on May 31.
He threw seven shutout innings, striking out eight and walking zero and scattered only three hits. The Miz lowered his ERA to 1.65.
18 / 29Misiorowski pitched an absolute gem in the Brewers’ 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on May 25 at American Family Field.
He threw 12 strikeouts with only one walk and two hits across seven innings. The one run snapped a four-game scoreless streak.
19 / 29Jacob Misiorowski reacts after the third out in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on May 25.
He earned his fifth win on the season and had lowered his ERA to 1.83.
20 / 29Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski was brilliant again as he blanked the Cubs on three hits with a walk and eight strikeouts over six innings of work in a 5-2 Brewers win on Tuesday, May 19 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
It was the beginning of a stretch of five straight starts that Misiorowski was the winning pitcher. During this period, he allowed only one earned run across 36 innings pitched.
21 / 29Pat Murphy gives Misiorowski a handshake before his start against the Chicago Cubs on May 19.
22 / 29Misiorowski pitched incredible against the San Diego Padres but didn’t have much support in a 3-1 Brewers loss on May 13.
Misiorowski had 10 strikeouts with zero walks in seven innings and zero runs.
23 / 29Misiorowski set the tone on what turned out to be a weekend sweep over the New York Yankees at American Family Field. He struck out 11, walked two across six-shutout innings as the Brewers defeated the Yankees, 6-0, on May 8.
It was the start of eight straight starts in which Misiorowski pitched at least six innings. He only allowed four total earned runs across 61 innings during this span.
24 / 29Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) reacts after striking out a batter during the sixth inning against the Yankees on May 8.
The 11-strikeout game is one eight double-digit strikeout performances for Misiorowski from the first half of the season.
25 / 29In a Brewers 6-1 win over the Washington Nationals on May 1, Misiorowski didn’t allow a hit in 5.1 innings.
He had eight strikeouts with only two walks.
It started a stretch when he didn’t allow a run across four straight starts over 24.1 innings.
26 / 29Jacob Misiorowski made his first Opening Day start for the Brewers.
And it was spectacular performance and a sign of what was to come in the first half of the season.
In five innings, The Miz struck out 11 batters and allowed just one run on two hits as the Brewers pounded the White Sox, 14-2, on March 26.
27 / 29Misiorowski is all smiles on the Fourth of July as the Brewers play the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
28 / 29Misiorowski shows off a fan made custom card in the “Pokemon” style before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
The Miz is a huge Pokeman fan.
29 / 29Jacob Misiorowski is getting used to the celebratory Gatorade baths after performances in 2026. Here’s one following his historic start against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 13 when he pitched his first complete game.
- Wild-card series: Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Division series: Oct. 3-10
Championship Series: Oct. 11-20
World Series: Oct. 23-31
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Are there any MLB playoff games on tonight? Schedule, updated bracket
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