The 2026 MLB playoffs opened today with eight teams spanning both leagues, each matchup pitting a division winner against a wild-card or second-place finisher. Per ESPN's reporting, the postseason began with the Rays hosting the Yankees in the AL East bracket, the Guardians facing the White Sox in the AL Central, the Brewers squaring off against the Padres in the NL Central, and the Dodgers meeting the Braves in the NL East.

In the AL East, the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays (98-64) hold the advantage over the New York Yankees (93-68), who finished second in their division despite a 93-win regular season. The Rays' five-game regular-season edge reflects their position as division champions.

The AL Central features a tighter margin. The Cleveland Guardians (85-77) won the division but edged out the Chicago White Sox (84-78) by just one game, per ESPN. The single-game difference underscores how competitive the division proved during the summer.

The Brewers bring the strongest regular-season record into playoff play. Milwaukee finished 103-59 and won the NL Central, facing the San Diego Padres (91-71), who qualified as a wild card after finishing second in the NL West. The Brewers' 12-game advantage over the Padres in wins represents the largest margin among the four matchups.

In the NL East, the Los Angeles Dodgers (100-62) earned the top seed in the NL West and will face the Atlanta Braves (94-68), division champions of the NL East. Both clubs won at least 94 games.

However, the Dodgers enter their series against Atlanta managing significant injury concerns. Per ESPN's reporting, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani acknowledged that left knee and right biceps ailments that plagued him throughout the regular season remain unresolved. Ohtani said the issues are problems he's "just going to have to manage" in the postseason, meaning Los Angeles will attempt a World Series run without its marquee player at full strength.

The opening games unfold simultaneously Friday, with all four series requiring the standard best-of-five format to determine advancement to the league championship round.

This article synthesizes reporting from ESPN. Top story: "Guardians and White Sox meet to begin ALDS" (ESPN).