American League Wild Card Series
(No. 6) Detroit Tigers def. (No. 3) Cleveland Guardians 2-1
The Guardians spent most of September chasing down the Tigers and overtook them on the final day of the regular season in what became the largest standings comeback in MLB history. Fate then matched the two clubs in the Wild Card Series, and it went to a decisive Game 3.
Detroit advanced with a 6–3 win, setting up an ALDS matchup with the Seattle Mariners. A close contest turned one-sided in the seventh inning when the Tigers fought to build a five-run lead.
The loss ended what had been a magical run for Cleveland, extending the franchise’s MLB-longest World Series drought to 76 years. For Detroit, the win marked another step forward in its rebuild and a chance to prove itself against one of the American League’s top teams.
(No. 4) New York Yankees def. (No. 5) Boston Red Sox 2-1
In a winner-take-all matchup between historic rivals, it was a 24-year-old rookie who etched his name into Yankees history. Right-hander Cam Schlittler became the first pitcher in postseason history to record 12 strikeouts, no walks, and eight scoreless innings in a single game. He started the season in Double-A and made his MLB debut in July, but his poise in the postseason was remarkable.
Schlittler overpowered the Red Sox with triple-digit velocity early and was still throwing in the high 90s by the eighth inning. The Yankees’ offense backed him with a four-run rally in the fourth inning, highlighted by a Cody Bellinger double. Boston’s bats never found an answer, managing only singles throughout the night.
New York advanced to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS, while Boston’s season came to a disappointing end. It was a statement win for both the Yankees and their young pitcher.
National League Wild Card Series
(No. 3) Los Angeles Dodgers def. (No. 6) Cincinnati Reds 2-0
The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds, clinching the best-of-three series with an 8–4 win in Game 2. Cincinnati entered as one of the least experienced postseason teams in the Wild Card, and the difference in depth quickly showed.
Across both games, the Dodgers looked like the World Series favorites they were projected to be, led by a star-studded lineup featuring three former MVPs and a deep rotation that did not even include Clayton Kershaw. Their offense and starting pitching were dominant, overcoming moments of late-inning bullpen tension to stay in control.
Up next, Los Angeles faces the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. The Phillies, who won 96 games this season and won four of six against the Dodgers, will bring both rest and home-field advantage into a marquee matchup between two powerhouse lineups.
(No. 4) Chicago Cubs def. (No. 5) San Diego Padres 2-1
The Chicago Cubs relied on elite pitching and defense to eliminate the San Diego Padres in three games, advancing to face the division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. It was a gritty, well-rounded effort that highlighted Chicago’s strengths in the field and on the mound.
The Cubs’ staff, featuring Jameson Taillon, Caleb Thielbar, Danny Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller, and Andrew Kittredge, combined to allow just one run. Gold Glovers Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner anchored one of the best defensive performances of the postseason, turning multiple key plays to stop Padres rallies. Offensively, the Cubs capitalized early against a worn-down San Diego pitching staff as Yu Darvish lasted only one inning and allowed two runs.
The ninth inning brought late drama when Jackson Merrill homered to cut the lead and Keller hit back-to-back batters to put the tying run on base. The Cubs closed it out to secure their first postseason series win since 2017 and continue their push toward the National League crown.
