⚾ MLB

⚾ MLB 2026

MLB postseason format and current bracket

Six teams per league, twelve in all. Division winners take seeds 1–3; the three best remaining records are seeds 4–6 (wild cards). Seeds 1 and 2 skip the first round.

🏆 Bracket if the season ended today

Seeds by win percentage (division winners 1–3, wild cards 4–6).

AL

Wild Card Series · Best of 3 · all games at the higher seed

Division Series · Bye

Seed 1 vs winner of 4/5 · Seed 2 vs winner of 3/6

NL

Wild Card Series · Best of 3 · all games at the higher seed

Division Series · Bye

Seed 1 vs winner of 4/5 · Seed 2 vs winner of 3/6

📐 Postseason

Wild Card Series

Best of 3 · all games at the higher seed

Division Series

Best of 5 · 2-2-1

League Championship Series

Best of 7 · 2-3-2

World Series

Best of 7 · home field to the better regular-season record

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FAQ

How many teams make the MLB postseason?

Six per league, twelve in all. The three division winners take seeds 1–3; the three best remaining records take seeds 4–6 as wild cards. Seeds 1 and 2 skip the Wild Card Series.

Who has home advantage in the Wild Card Series?

The higher seed hosts all three games; the lower seed never plays at home.

What if a division winner has a worse record than a wild card?

The division winner is still seeded 1–3. The 3 seed gets no bye, though, and starts in the Wild Card Series.

As of 2026-09-18 · Data: compiled directly from ESPN public records. Standings and scenarios are our own calculations and may differ from official announcements.