Playoff Picture Takes Shape: Wild Card Series Set
NEW YORK/SAN DIEGO/CINCINNATI – The Major League Baseball playoff field is beginning to crystallize, with the Wild Card Series matchups now set following the conclusion of regular season play. The Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers have earned direct classification to the Division Series, receiving byes after strong regular seasons.
This new playoff format, implemented in recent years, expands the postseason to 12 teams – six in each league – and introduces a best-of-three Wild card Series to determine which teams advance to the Division Series. The stakes are high,as each series winner will move on to face a top-seeded team in a five-game Division Series.
American League Wild Card Series:
* Red Sox vs.Yankees:
* Game 1: Tuesday, September 30 at 4:08 p.m.
* Game 2: Wednesday, October 1 at 4:08 p.m.
* Game 3: Thursday, October 2 at 4:08 p.m.*
* Tigers vs. Guardians:
* Game 1: Tuesday, September 30 at 11:08 a.m.
* Game 2: Wednesday, October 1 at 11:08 a.m.
* Game 3: thursday, October 2 at 11:08 a.m.*
national League Wild Card Series:
* Padres vs. Cubs:
* Game 1: Tuesday, September 30 at 1:08 p.m.
* Game 2: wednesday, October 1 at 1:08 p.m.
* Game 3: Thursday, October 2 at 1:08 p.m.*
* Reds vs. Dodgers:
* Game 1: Tuesday, September 30 at 7:08 p.m.
* Game 2: Wednesday, October 1 at 7:08 p.m.
* Game 3: Thursday,October 2 at 7:08 p.m.*
*game 3 will be played only if necessary, as each series is a best-of-three.
Division Series Matchups:
* The winner of Padres vs. Cubs will face the Milwaukee Brewers.
* The winner of reds vs. Dodgers will face the Phillies.
* The winner of Red Sox vs. Yankees will face the Toronto Blue Jays.
* The winner of Tigers vs. Guardians will face the Mariners.