Buckle up, baseball fans — the playoffs are here, and today is going to be a marathon. Four Wild Card Series openers are on tap, giving us a full day of win-or-go-home drama from coast to coast.
The action starts in Atlanta, where the Braves host the Phillies in an NL East grudge match. Jesus Luzardo takes the mound for Philadelphia against Atlanta's Chris Sale, a matchup that could set the tone for the entire postseason. First pitch at Truist Park is set for this afternoon.
Before that one even wraps up, the White Sox and Astros will get going at Daikin Park in Houston. The Astros are powered by MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez, but this isn't the same juggernaut we've seen in years past. Still, they're slight favorites over a White Sox team that scrapped its way into October.
Then it's time for the main event: Red Sox vs. Yankees in the Bronx. There's nothing quite like a Boston-New York playoff series, and this one comes with plenty of intrigue — especially with Aaron Judge's status up in the air after a calf setback. The Yankees are favored, but the Red Sox have already lit up social media thanks to superfan Lucille Burdge, whose playoff photo has gone viral. If you're looking for a reason to believe in Boston, one devoted fan's viral moment might just be it.
The nightcap sends us to San Diego, where the Cubs visit the Padres at Petco Park. This one is loaded with star power: Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Fernando Tatis Jr. will all be on display. The Padres are favored to advance, but the Cubs have the kind of roster that can flip a series in a hurry.
If you're wondering why the schedule feels different this year, you're not alone. MLB's new postseason format has drawn criticism from some corners, including actor Rob Lowe, who recently sounded off about MLB's new schedule format. Love it or hate it, the four-game Wild Card day is here to stay — at least for now.
Here's the full TV schedule (all times ET):
- Phillies at Braves — 1:00 PM
- White Sox at Astros — 4:00 PM
- Red Sox at Yankees — 7:00 PM
- Cubs at Padres — 10:00 PM
As for the bigger picture, the Astros and Yankees are slight favorites in the American League, while the Braves and Padres are expected to move on in the National League. And lurking above everyone else? The Dodgers, who enter as overwhelming favorites to win the World Series.
But as any baseball fan knows, October doesn't care about favorites. It cares about who gets hot at the right time. With four games on the docket today, we're about to find out who's ready — and who's going home early.
