The Wild Card round is complete, the field is down to eight teams, and all four Division Series begin Saturday.
The White Sox, Yankees, Padres, and Braves advanced this week to join the Guardians, Rays, Brewers, and Dodgers. The next round brings two divisional matchups, a pair of first-time October opponents, some familiar faces, and four best-of-five series.
Here’s what to know before the Division Series begin.
White Sox vs. Guardians
Chicago heads to Cleveland for an AL Central matchup with the Guardians.
These teams saw plenty of each other during the regular season. Chicago won the season series 7-6, with six of the 13 games decided by one run and two going to extra innings.
The White Sox hit 211 home runs during the regular season, fifth-most in baseball, while the Guardians finished with 162, 27th in the majors. Cleveland’s advantage could come on the mound, where its rotation helped carry the club to the AL Central title.
Despite sharing a division, the White Sox and Guardians have never met in the postseason.
Game 1: Saturday, noon CT, TBS/truTV/HBO Max
Yankees vs. Rays
The Yankees made short work of Boston, sweeping the Red Sox to advance to Tampa Bay.
The Rays took seven of 13 from New York during the regular season, winning the first four meetings before the Yankees turned things around. New York won four of the final five.
One significant question remains for the Yankees: Aaron Judge. He was left off the Wild Card roster with a right calf strain and continued his rehab in hopes of returning for the ALDS.
This is only the second postseason meeting between the AL East rivals. Tampa Bay won the first, taking the 2020 ALDS in five games before advancing to the World Series.
Game 1: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. CT, TBS/truTV/HBO Max
Padres vs. Brewers
San Diego swept the Cubs in the Wild Card Series to advance to face Milwaukee.
The Padres also had the advantage when these teams met during the regular season, winning four of six. Milwaukee took two of three at home in May before San Diego swept a three-game series at Petco Park in August.
This will be the first postseason meeting between the franchises.
Pitching should be a major part of this series. Milwaukee has Jacob Misiorowski in its rotation, while San Diego brings a formidable bullpen featuring Mason Miller.
Game 1: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. CT, FS1
Braves vs. Dodgers
And then there is Dubi.
The Braves were the only Wild Card team forced to play a third game. After splitting the first two with Philadelphia, Atlanta eliminated the Phillies with a 6-2 win Thursday night.
Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson homered, and former Astros fan favorite Mauricio Dubón gets to keep playing in October.
The Braves went 5-1 against Los Angeles during the regular season, including a three-game sweep in Atlanta in August.
There is plenty of history here, too. This will be the sixth postseason meeting between the franchises. They last met in the 2021 NLCS, when Atlanta eliminated Los Angeles in six games on the way to winning the World Series.
The Dodgers are the two-time defending World Series champions and are trying to make it three straight. Former Astro Kyle Tucker gives Houston fans another familiar face to follow.
Game 1: Saturday, 3 p.m. CT, FOX
The Division Series Begin Saturday
Four series. Eight teams. Four spots in the League Championship Series at stake.
Chicago and Cleveland open the day at noon CT, followed by Atlanta and Los Angeles at 3 p.m. The Yankees and Rays begin at 5:30 p.m., and San Diego and Milwaukee close the schedule at 7:30 p.m.
