The 2026 MLB Playoffs Are Here: Which Teams Survive the Wild Card Round?

The 2026 MLB Playoffs are here. We preview Yankees-Red Sox, Phillies-Braves, Cubs-Padres and White Sox-Astros and make our Wild Card picks.

Plus, in Episode 725 we look back at the biggest surprises and performances of the 2026 MLB regular season and look ahead to which division winners could be vulnerable in the Division Series.

Mark and Gordon look back at a season filled with surprises before breaking down the Wild Card matchups and making their picks.

The White Sox completed a remarkable turnaround and reached the postseason. The Astros won the AL West despite finishing 81-81. Tampa Bay captured the AL East, while the National League playoff field looks considerably more familiar.

We also look at some of the season's notable individual performances and milestones, including Yordan Alvarez's batting title, Colson Montgomery setting the single-season strikeout record, Pete Alonso's huge season in Baltimore, and an emotional possible farewell for Justin Verlander.

Then it's time for the playoffs:

• Yankees vs. Red Sox — Does New York's pitching and power give the Yankees the edge in another chapter of baseball's biggest rivalry?

• Phillies vs. Braves — Philadelphia survived to reach October, but now has to go through Atlanta.

• Cubs vs. Padres — Chicago's offense and defense were among baseball's best, but can the Cubs' pitching survive October?

• White Sox vs. Astros — Chicago is one of baseball's best stories, while Houston became an unlikely division champion at 81-81. Which team can take advantage?

Plus: Which division winners are most vulnerable once the Division Series begins, and are we headed toward Dodgers-Brewers and Yankees-Rays championship series?

The regular season took 162 games. Now three games can end everything.

Welcome to October baseball.

Almost Cooperstown is a weekly baseball podcast featuring thoughtful conversations about the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball history, current MLB topics, player comparisons, statistics and the stories that connect today's game with its rich history.

Thanks again to Mercury Maid for the Intro & Outro music.

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