2026 MLB Wild Card Series Guide

The 2026 MLB regular season has concluded, and the focus now shifts to the Wild Card Series broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. Matchups and timings are set from September 29 to October 1, promising excitement and intense competition.

American League Matchups

The No. 6 Chicago White Sox will compete against the No. 3 Houston Astros. Meanwhile, the No. 5 Boston Red Sox face the No. 4 New York Yankees, reigniting their rivalry in a thrilling rematch.

National League Matchups

The No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies will challenge the No. 3 Atlanta Braves. The No. 5 Chicago Cubs are set to battle the No. 4 San Diego Padres. Expect drama and potential upsets as these top teams vie for postseason advancement.

Broadcast and Streaming Details

Fans can catch all the Wild Card Series games exclusively on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. The series features Hall of Famer CC Sabathia and Ahmed Fareed providing recaps. Post-game coverage will be available on Peacock and the NBC Sports YouTube channel.

Wild Card Series Schedule

Tuesday, September 29

• Game 1: Phillies vs. Braves – 2:00pm ET on NBC and Peacock
• Game 1: White Sox vs. Astros – 5:00pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN
• Game 1: Red Sox vs. Yankees – 8:00pm ET on NBC and Peacock
• Game 1: Cubs vs. Padres – 10:00pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN

Wednesday, September 30

• Game 2: Phillies vs. Braves – 2:00pm ET on NBC and Peacock
• Game 2: White Sox vs. Astros – 5:00pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN
• Game 2: Red Sox vs. Yankees – 8:00pm ET on NBC and Peacock
• Game 2: Cubs vs. Padres – 10:00pm ET on Peacock and NBCSN

Thursday, October 1 (if necessary)

• Game 3: Phillies vs. Braves – TBD
• Game 3: White Sox vs. Astros – TBD
• Game 3: Red Sox vs. Yankees – TBD
• Game 3: Cubs vs. Padres – TBD

Viewing Options

Subscribers can access Peacock, available on various devices. NBC broadcasts will also stream on Peacock. NBCSN access is possible via YouTube TV, Fubo, and Xfinity, providing comprehensive viewing choices.

Format of the Series

Each Wild Card matchup is a best-of-three series, with higher seeds enjoying home-field advantage. This format ensures competitive games and gives top-seeded teams the edge throughout the series.