Overview
- The bracket is set: Brewers vs. Cubs and Phillies vs. Dodgers in the NL, Blue Jays vs. Yankees and Mariners vs. Tigers in the AL, with Game 1s on October 4.
- Dave Roberts named Shohei Ohtani the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter against the Phillies, marking his first playoff appearance as a pitcher.
- Top-seeded Milwaukee (franchise-best 97–65) opens at home against Chicago, with Freddy Peralta facing Cubs right-hander Matt Boyd in the series opener.
- Toronto hosts New York to start their series, with the Blue Jays leaning on a deep rotation of Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer as the Yankees arrive buoyed by rookie Cam Schlittler’s Wild Card gem.
- Seattle opens against Detroit at T-Mobile Park, spotlighting Cal Raleigh’s 60-homer power as the Tigers counter behind Tarik Skubal and renewed offense.