All articles tagged with #playoffs
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller missed Game 3 of the NLDS to be with his wife during labor, while New York Yankees starter Max Fried pitched despite his partner’s impending birth. Miller returned for Game 4 after the Padres won 4-3 without him, keeping their season alive against Milwaukee.
Michael King threw six outs to save the Padres' season in Game 3, Kiké Hernandez hit a key home run for the Dodgers, and Ronald Acuna Jr. faces uncertainty due to a knee injury.
With one month remaining until the NWSL playoffs, the top eight teams have largely separated themselves from the rest of the league. San Diego Wave, Gotham FC, and Washington Spirit lead the power rankings, with Wave boasting the league's best defense and second-best attack. Gotham FC missed a chance to clinch the NWSL Shield after a late equalizer from Angel City FC, while Washington Spirit secured a crucial win with a late goal from Clara Luvanga. Angel City FC remains unbeaten in seven matches, and Kansas City Current continues to dominate with a 5-1 victory over Bay FC. Meanwhile, Utah Royals, Portland Thorns, and Seattle Reign face uncertainty regarding their playoff spots, with Seattle's attack struggling to generate chances. North Carolina Courage overtook Seattle in the standings after a 1-0 win, and Denver Summit remains in contention despite being an expansion side. Boston Legacy capitalized on a numerical advantage to beat Portland Thorns 4-2, while Orlando Pride, Houston Dash, and Bay FC face likely elimination. Racing Louisville saw Savannah DeMelo return from a cardiac emergency, and Chicago Stars began a new era under Vlatko Andonovski with key transfers.
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the San Diego Padres 2-0 in the National League Division Series and aim to clinch the series with a win in Game 3 at Petco Park on October 6. The Brewers won the first two games in Milwaukee, including a dramatic walk-off single by Jackson Chourio in Game 2. The Padres, who have a 53-30 home record, must win three consecutive games to advance to the NLCS. Dustin May starts for Milwaukee against Nick Pivetta for San Diego.
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the San Diego Padres 2-0 in the National League Division Series after two dramatic wins in Milwaukee. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at Petco Park in San Diego, where the Brewers must win to advance to the NLCS. The series features a pitching matchup between Dustin May and Nick Pivetta, with the Padres facing an extreme heat warning in California. If the Brewers lose, they must win Games 4 and 5 to survive. The other NLDS series between the Dodgers and Braves is tied 1-1.
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-2 on October 5, 2026, to take a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series. The victory was driven by four defensive errors by New York and a four-run fifth inning. Ben Rice hit two home runs for the Yankees, but it was not enough to overcome the defensive miscues. The Yankees are now one loss away from elimination, extending their World Series drought to 17 seasons if they lose Game 3.
The 2026 MLB Division Series saw the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays take 2-0 leads after winning Game 2. The White Sox defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-3, extending their perfect postseason record to 4-0, while the Rays beat the New York Yankees 5-2. The Yankees' loss was defined by four defensive errors, a recurring issue that has plagued them since the regular season. Conversely, the White Sox's success is attributed to the 2024 trade of pitcher Garrett Crochet, which yielded key position players who are now driving the team's offense. Both leading teams are one win away from advancing to the ALCS, while the Yankees and Guardians face elimination.
The Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 92-82 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals, leveraging a transition-heavy style and superior defense to force 19 turnovers. Despite playing without star guard Allisha Gray for most of the game due to a hand injury, Atlanta’s aggressive defense, led by Angel Reese and Jordin Canada, neutralized New York’s size advantage. The victory gives Atlanta a 1-0 series lead and keeps them alive in their pursuit of a Finals appearance, while the Liberty must address their ball-handling issues in Game 2.
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 71-60 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals at Chase Center on Sunday, October 4. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Kiah Stokes recorded 14 rebounds and three blocks. The Aces, led by A'ja Wilson's 24 points, suffered their lowest-scoring game of the season and lost guard Jewell Loyd to a left leg injury. The Valkyries, who advanced after a late comeback against Dallas, now hold a 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2 on Wednesday.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres 3-2 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The game ended in the ninth inning after a controversial ruling involving a ball striking the stadium roof. The Padres entered the series with the same 26-player roster used in their Wild Card sweep of the Cubs, featuring 11 pitchers and 15 position players. Despite a strong start by Padres pitcher Robbie Ray, the Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski struggled early but recovered, while the bullpen played a pivotal role. The decisive moment came when Ty France’s fly ball hit the roof cables over fair territory, ruled in play, allowing the Brewers to escape a jam. Closer Trevor Megill secured the save, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday, October 4.
The 2026 MLB Division Series began on October 3, with the White Sox, Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers winning Game 1. Analysts predict the Yankees and Brewers will reach the World Series, though the Dodgers and Padres are also strong contenders. Aaron Judge is out of the Yankees' roster due to a calf injury, and the Braves face pitching depth issues against the Dodgers.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have finalized their 26-man rosters for the National League Division Series, which begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, seeking a third consecutive World Series title, opted for veteran experience in Edwin Diaz and Kris Bubic over recent performers, while the Braves added AJ Smith-Shawver and JR Ritchie to bolster their pitching depth after a grueling Wild Card series. Tarik Skubal will start for Los Angeles, while Atlanta will utilize a bullpen game strategy with Dylan Dodd opening. The series is expected to be a battle of attrition, with the Dodgers holding a significant advantage in rotation depth despite the Braves' strong regular-season performance against them.
The 2026 MLB postseason begins with the American League Division Series (ALDS) and National League Division Series (NLDS) commencing on October 3. The ALDS features the Cleveland Guardians versus the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays versus the New York Yankees, while the NLDS pits the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers against the San Diego Padres. The ALDS is characterized by a lack of traditional star power, with both matchups featuring teams with the lowest payrolls in the league. The NLDS highlights the Dodgers' pursuit of a threepeat and the Brewers' homefield advantage. Aaron Judge's calf strain remains a significant question for the Yankees, while the Rays and White Sox rely heavily on rookie performances and bullpen strategies.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected Tarik Skubal as the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, marking a strategic shift in their playoff rotation. The decision prioritizes the reigning Cy Young Award winner, who has shown strong late-season form, over Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is expected to pitch in Game 3. This move aims to maximize the team's chances of securing a third consecutive World Series title.
The 2026 MLB Division Series began on October 3 with all four best-of-five matchups underway. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-3, while the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0. The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox also won their opening games, taking 1-0 leads in their respective series.