MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: September 28, 2026, 2:06 PM ET

Playoff Picture

The postseason field is set, and the Phillies clinched the NL's final wild-card spot with a 7-3 win over the Rays on Sunday, completing a dramatic late-season turnaround. The Astros, meanwhile, secured the AL West despite finishing the year at just 81-81, their fifth division crown in six seasons. For a complete look at the bracket, the full playoff schedule and updated standings are available, along with a comprehensive preview that includes World Series odds and how far each of the 12 teams can go.

Dodgers Concerns

Los Angeles may be chasing a three-peat, but analysts see vulnerability in the Dodgers' rotation and bullpen depth that could derail their October run. For fans whose own teams are already eliminated, ESPN has ranked the best World Series matchups by fan type, from purists craving a pitching duel to casual viewers wanting maximum star power.

Manager Carousel

The offseason coaching shuffle has begun, as the Mariners fired Dan Wilson following a 76-86 campaign, just one year after he led Seattle to the ALCS. The 57-year-old's dismissal opens the first seat on the carousel, with a tracker of all managerial changes now monitoring who's out and who might be next. In Arizona, Torey Lovullo admitted his future is murky after the Diamondbacks missed the playoffs again, despite his status as the winningest manager in franchise history.

Awards & Grades

With the regular season complete, Jeff Passan has handed out his annual awards with a twist, eschewing traditional MVP and Cy Young picks for more unconventional honors. ESPN also graded all 30 teams on their regular-season performance, separating contenders from those packing for the offseason.

Milestones & Records

Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski completed a rare triple crown of pitching categories, leading the majors in ERA, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. In Chicago, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery is focusing on the positives from his second season rather than dwelling on his league-leading strikeout total. And at 42 years old, Max Scherzer threw seven strikeouts on three days' rest in Toronto's season finale, showing the veteran still has plenty left.

Playoff Pitching

The Yankees have set their rotation for the ALDS, with AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler getting the Game 1 nod against the Red Sox, followed by Max Fried and Gerrit Cole. Meanwhile, the league-wide trend toward longer games continues, as the average nine-inning contest rose by 3 minutes, 43 seconds this season, driven in part by automated ball-strike challenge delays.