The Rays secured 98 wins to reach the postseason and will face the Yankees in the ALDS, according to MLB.com. Per the reporting, MLB.com credited the "power of friendship" as a factor in Tampa Bay's success this season, though the full context of that characterization was not available.
Four best-of-five Division Series begin Saturday. The Braves will take on the Dodgers in an NLCS rematch, the Padres face the Brewers, and the White Sox play the Guardians. The Braves earned their berth by defeating the Phillies in a Wild Card series, per ESPN. Andruw Jones described the Braves' matchup against Los Angeles as a "tough task." In the White Sox-Guardians series, Hagen Smith will start for Chicago in Game 1, ESPN reported, setting up a matchup of rookie left-handed pitchers. ESPN also noted that the Yankees are prepared for their ALDS regardless of Aaron Judge's availability.