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The cruel reality of the postseason sent three teams packing for an uncertain offseason. While the surprising Chicago White Sox, the suddenly potent New York Yankees and the white-hot San Diego Padres are moving on, the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are left to lick their wounds. One more spot is still to be decided, with Atlanta hosting the Philadelphia Phillies in a do-or-die Game 3 today.
The Phillies will take on the Braves in the deciding Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series at 8pm ET on NBC and Peacock. And see below for Division Series schedules beginning on Saturday!
Wild-Card Wrapup
White Sox’s Cinderella Story Continues
Final score: White Sox 7, Astros 3
Series: White Sox win 2-0
Next game: White Sox at Guardians in Game 1 of AL Division Series, 1 p.m. (TBS, HBO)
Most everyone knew the Chicago White Sox were the better team entering the AL Wild Card Series vs. the Houston Astros. It didn’t really have anything to do with the White Sox posting three more wins during the regular season. Despite being unproven, the White Sox had played better throughout the season, while the Astros were pretty mid. But the edge the Astros had was their postseason experience. Hand it to the kids, though. They just played their game. Andrew Benintendi drove in two during a four-run top of the first and Chase Meidroth added a huge three-run homer in the sixth to send the White Sox past the Astros 7-3 and sweep the best-of-three series 2-0. The White Sox, who lost more than 100 games in each of the last three seasons including a record 121 in 2024, now face the AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series. Meanwhile, the Astros, the first team to qualify for the playoffs at .500 in a full season, were eliminated.
The White Sox chased Astros right-handed starter Hunter Brown, last year’s third-place finisher for the AL Cy Young Award, in the top of the first after getting just two outs, aided by some poor Houston defense. The Astros used homers by Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve to pull within 4-3 after four innings. A walk, a Luisangel Acuña stolen base, another walk and a double steal put runners on second and third. After taking three balls to open the at-bat, Meidroth took a fastball for a strike, then got all of a slider, drilling it to left field for a three-run blast that gave the White Sox’s relievers breathing space. Right-handers Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde each went two innings and each struck out three, combining to retire 12 of the 13 batters they faced.
Yankees Bash Red Sox; Rays Next
Final score: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2
Series: Yankees win 2-0
Next game: Yankees (TBA) at Rays (RHP Drew Rasmussen) in Game 1 of AL Division Series, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (TBS, HBO)
Beginning the postseason without their best player, the New York Yankees showed that the supporting cast could do just fine. Maybe more than fine. With left-handed starter Max Fried dominating for six innings and Luis García Jr. and Cody Bellinger going deep, the Yankees completed a sweep of the rival Boston Red Sox with a 9-2 victory in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. Now the Yankees face the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays, the team with the AL’s best record, in the AL Division Series. At worst, the Yankees gave superstar Aaron Judge a few more days of rest, although it is not known whether his strained right calf will be healthy enough for the ALDS.
Regardless, the Yankees left little doubt against the Red Sox. The bats produced nine runs in each game, while the pitchers allowed a grand total of two runs. The game turned again with a Red Sox pitching change. With the Red Sox down 1-0, right-handed starter Sonny Gray gave up a two-out single to Ben Rice to put runners on the corners. Like in Game 1, left-hander Erik Miller came in. Like Game 1, it didn’t go well. Miller gave up an RBI single to Bellinger to make it 2-0. Another single to García followed, but Rice was thrown out at the plate. After the game, Gray questioned not being trusted in that situation. The Yankees then broke it open in the sixth, scoring six runs, including a big RBI single by George Lombard Jr. and then Bellinger’s three-run homer.
Padres Shut Down Cubs Again, Set For Brewers
Final score: Padres 4, Cubs 1
Series: Padres win 2-0
Next game: Padres (TBA) at Brewers (RHP Jacob Misiorowski) in Game 1 of NL Division Series, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. (FS1)
After a tremendous Game 1 start from Michael King, the San Diego Padres unleashed their bullpen in Game 2. The Chicago Cubs couldn’t solve either, nor could they slow down the hottest team in baseball. Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets homered and the Padres limited the Cubs to five hits in a 4-1 triumph to complete a sweep of the best-of-three series. The Padres’ reward is the four-time defending NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers, who were MLB’s best team for the second regular season in a row. The Padres also gained a measure of revenge for the Cubs’ Wild Card Series win in three games a year ago at Wrigley Field.
Petco Park certainly played a role for the Padres, providing a true home-field advantage. But it was the Padres’ pitchers who stood out in the two-game series. The Cubs, MLB’s top offense this year, managed just eight hits and one run in the two games. Right-handed starter Nick Pivetta provided a solid 3⅓ innings, escaping a third-inning jam, then four relievers did the rest. Right-handers Bradgley Rodriguez and Jason Adam, left-hander Adrian Morejon and superstar right-handed closer Mason Miller allowed just two hits over the final 5⅔ innings, a formula that is certainly to be deployed as the postseason advances. The Padres held a 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI single by Xander Bogaerts and a sacrifice fly by rookie Ethan Salas, who became the youngest catcher in MLB postseason history at 20 years, 121 days. Sheets pinch-hit for designated hitter Austin Hays in the fourth inning and rocketed a two-run homer, his second since coming off the injured list over the weekend.
HRs by Schwarber, Harper, Bohm Keep Phils Alive
Final score: Phillies 4, Atlanta 3 (10 innings)
Series: Tied 1-1
Next game: Phillies (TBA) at Atlanta (TBA), today, 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
The Philadelphia Phillies are certainly not known for stellar defense and that wart showed up in a crucial situation as they faced elimination in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. But back-to-back homers by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper overcame Harper’s gaffe in right field, then Alec Bohm hit a homer in the top of the 10th inning as the Phillies escaped with a 4-3 victory over Atlanta. The series is tied, with the winner of today’s game advancing to face the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.
It was still a 1-1 game in the bottom of the seventh inning after the teams traded runs in the first. Sean Murphy drew a leadoff walk and was bunted to second, with Ha-Seong Kim reaching first as the throw went to second and was late. One out later, Drake Baldwin lofted a flyball to deep left field that was very catchable, but Harper had the ball deflect off his glove. Murphy scored easily on what was ruled a double (it was an error) with Kim going to third. Matt Olson then hit a long sacrifice fly to center to make it 3-1. The next half-inning, Schwarber clubbed a 3-2 pitch out to right, then Harper followed with his shot on a 1-1 pitch to tie it. In the 10th, with the game being played under the old-school extra-inning rule, Schwarber and Harper were retired to begin the frame, then Bohm took a 1-1 pitch out the opposite way to right field to put the Phillies up 4-3. With right-handed closer Jhoan Duran unavailable after going two innings in Game 1, right-hander Andrew Painter pitched the final three innings to get the win.
By The Numbers
71.75M MLB attendance rose to its highest level since 2017, increasing for the fourth consecutive season to 71.75 million in 2026.
0-for-15 Cubs stars Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman went a combined 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts in the series vs. the Padres.
28 Astros star Jose Altuve hit his 28th home run, one shy of the MLB record held by Manny Ramirez.
Best Moments From Yesterday
More Champagne!
White Sox star Munetaka Murakami is a clubhouse celebration star.
another incredible Murakami champagne celebration interview (via CHSN White Sox)
The Family Business
The Acuña brothers each swiped a pair of bases on the same day in the postseason.
On the same day … in the Postseason 🤯Ronald Acuña Jr. AND Luisangel Acuña each stole two bases in an inning today!
Around The League
Extra Bases
⚾ Red Sox leadoff hitter Roman Anthony was removed from the roster due to a hand and wrist injury, aggravating a previous ailment with a new one popping up. The Red Sox activated infielder Curtis Mead, who was injured in his Boston debut when he was hit on the left wrist and suffered a nondisplaced fracture.
⚾ Astros reliever Bennett Sousa apologized for calling fans who booed him “spoiled.” He chalked it up to his emotions after his poor performance in Game 1.
⚾ Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist and is done for the season, the team said before Game 2.
Articles You Should Read
Blue Jays’ Atkins, Shapiro talk Guerrero, offseason needs — Keegan Matheson, MLB.com
The best fastball ever — Matthew Trueblood, Baseball Prospectus
Dodgers’ Rojas soaks up possible last hurrah — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times
