Overview
- The Division Series began Saturday, Oct. 3, with four best-of-five matchups: Rays vs. Yankees, Guardians vs. White Sox, Brewers vs. Padres, and Dodgers vs. Braves.
- Los Angeles opened the postseason with a 5-3 Game 1 win over Atlanta after left-hander Tarik Skubal worked six strong innings, allowing two hits, one run, and striking out seven.
- New York will start Gerrit Cole in Game 1 at Tampa Bay against Drew Rasmussen, a matchup that highlights how teams are ordering their rotations for short series.
- Top seeds entered with multi-day byes that preserve arms but risk blunting game rhythm, making rotation depth and bullpen use central strategic questions for managers.
- All games are on a 2-2-1 home format and carry broad broadcast windows on ESPN, FOX/FOX One, Disney+, and MLB.TV as the winners advance to League Championship Series play in mid-October.