MLB Division Series Kicks Off: Dodgers and Rays Take Early Leads

Key points

• The 2026 MLB Division Series started on October 3 with four best-of-five series.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in Game 1.
• The Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0, with Drew Rasmussen pitching a no-hitter into the eighth inning.
• The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres 3-2, with William Contreras hitting a late home run.
• The Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 1.

Background

The 2026 MLB playoffs began with a Wild Card Series, where the New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros, the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies, and the San Diego Padres swept the Chicago Cubs. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays advanced directly to the Division Series as division winners. Preseason predictions favored the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers to win the World Series, with the Los Angeles Dodgers also considered strong contenders.

How outlets are covering it

USA Today and CBS Sports both confirm the Division Series matchups and the 1-0 leads for the Dodgers, Rays, Brewers, and White Sox. CBS Sports provides additional details on the Game 1 results, including Drew Rasmussen's no-hitter effort for the Rays and William Contreras's late home run for the Brewers. ESPN's source was inaccessible, so no additional perspective from that outlet is available.

Why it matters

The Division Series determines which teams will advance to the League Championship Series and ultimately the World Series. The early leads for the Dodgers, Rays, Brewers, and White Sox set the stage for the next round of playoff action, with the Los Angeles Dodgers seeking a third consecutive World Series title.

What to watch

Game 2 of the Division Series is scheduled for October 4, featuring the San Diego Padres at the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 2 of the American League Division Series is scheduled for October 5, with the Chicago White Sox at the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees at the Tampa Bay Rays.