Major League Baseball has announced the complete 2026 postseason schedule, with the Wild Card Series kicking off on September 29. The schedule runs through the World Series, though the exact start date for the championship series was not detailed in available reporting.
The schedule carries immediate implications for teams jockeying for position. According to projections cited in the reporting, the Dodgers have a near-certain path to October play, while the Cubs sit at a 98.8 percent postseason probability. The Braves, meanwhile, project as heavy favorites to win their division and have a 99.7 percent chance of postseason berth, though their odds of securing a first-round bye stand at 41.5 percent.
One outlet reported that as of now, the White Sox would receive a first-round bye while the Dodgers would not, indicating meaningful differences in seeding based on current standings.