2 Oct 2026
Rematch & Redemption - 2026 Wild Card Round Recap
2026 Wild Card Round Recap
The Postseason is here, and the fireworks have already started. We’ll cover the highlights from the early round action, and preview the division series matchups.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves (https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2026_NLWC1.shtml)
For the third time in the last five seasons, the Braves and Phillies match up again in the playoffs. Despite winning the division in ’22 and ’23, the Braves came up short against their bitter division rival. Things may be different this time around, as the Philadelphia core is aging, and more importantly, the Phillies limped into the playoffs. Let’s see if they can rediscover their old playoff magic, or if the Braves can finally push past them.
ATL Radio - 680 The Fan: Ben Ingram and Joe Simpson
PHI Radio - 94.1 WIP: Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, Kevin Stocker
Chicago White Sox @ Houston Astros (https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2026_ALWC1.shtml)
Just two years after losing more game than anyone in baseball history, postseason baseball has returned to the Southside. Call it luck, smart development, or the Pope’s Blessing, it’s great to see the White Sox relevant once again. The Astros are back in the playoffs, but this ain’t the team we’re used to seeing. Don’t be fooled by Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, or presumptive AL MVP Yordan Alvarez, this team’s a mess.
CHW Radio - WMVP: Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson
Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees (https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2026_ALWC2.shtml)
Let’s do this thing again. Just like last year, and many, many times before, Boston and New York face off. While the Sox looked like an ascendant team earlier this year after firing Alex Cora, they have cooled off significantly down the stretch. And even though the Yanks won’t have Aaron Judge, they’re gonna be tough to beat. They’ve got the arms (Schlitter, Fried, Cole, Bednar), they’ve got the bats (lefty or righty), and they’ve got the Bronx Zoo. If Boston’s starters can keep it close, they’ll have a chance. But if they don’t go deep, Aaron Boone has the tools at his disposal to punish any bullpen.
NYY Radio - WFAN: Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman
Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres (https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2026_NLWC2.shtml)
Yet another rematch, but this time the Padres have home field advantage. The Cubs boast the best offense in baseball, led by breakout superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Padres can swing it too, and unlike the Cubbies, they actually have a strong pitching staff. Many have picked Chicago as an NL favorite, but don’t sleep on San Deigo, and definitely do not underestimate their raucous crowd.
SDP Radio - 97.3 FM: Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn, Jr.
Audio clips from MLB.tv (http://MLB.tv)
As always, shout out to Baseball Reference for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.
Catch you next time,
P.S. I’m currently training to run a marathon this month (the Marine Corps Marathon in DC on October 25th!). That’s why I’ve been on hiatus for so long, though I do plan to cover this year’s playoffs, just not as many episodes as usual. Stay tuned!
You can follow my marathon training progress on Instagram - @jolly_orangegiant
