MLB Wild Card Series Kicks Off with Chicago Teams and Historic Matchups

Key points

• The White Sox won their first playoff game in years, defeating the Astros 6-3 in Game 1 at Daikin Park.
• The Cubs, led by NL MVP frontrunner Pete Crow-Armstrong, are set to face the San Diego Padres in a rematch of last year's series.
• The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox met in the Bronx, with Aaron Judge absent due to a calf strain.
• The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies faced off in Atlanta, with the Braves favored to advance.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to win the World Series, followed by the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Background

The White Sox made history by reaching the postseason after three consecutive 100-loss seasons, finishing 84-78. The Astros clinched the AL West with an 81-81 record, the worst for a playoff team in history. The Cubs and Padres met in the Wild Card Series last year, with the Padres advancing. The Red Sox and Yankees also faced off in the 2025 Wild Card Series, with the Yankees winning 2-1.

How outlets are covering it

The Chicago Tribune and USA Today focused on the schedules and key players, noting the White Sox's remarkable turnaround and the Astros' controversial reputation. CBS Sports provided expert predictions, with most analysts favoring the Yankees, Braves, and Padres, while some predicted upsets for the White Sox and Cubs. ESPN was inaccessible due to a 403 error.

Why it matters

The Wild Card Series sets the stage for the Division Series, with the winners advancing to face the top two seeds in each league. The Chicago teams' performances will determine their chances of reaching the League Championship Series. The series also highlights the impact of late-season momentum and roster decisions on playoff success.

What to watch

Game 2 of each Wild Card Series is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30. The Division Series begins on October 3, with the winners of the Wild Card Series facing the top two seeds in each league. The World Series is scheduled for October 23-31.