2026 MLB Wild Card Series Odds: What To Know About Each Matchup

The four MLB wild-card series are set, with more than a few juggernaut matchups. Get ready for the MLB postseason with FOX Sports’ wild-card series hub. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Season Series: Houston went 5-2 against the White Sox in the regular season. Game 1 Matchup: AJ Blubaugh (HOU) vs. Hagen Smith (CHW) What To Know: Prior to this season, Chicago had at least 100 losses in each of the last three seasons. They last made the playoffs in 2021, and last won a playoff series in 2005, the same year they last won the World Series. As for the Astros, they have World Series wins in 2017 and 2022 and World Series losses in 2019 and 2021. Season Series: The Yankees went 7-6 against the Red Sox in the regular season. Game 1 Matchup: Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs. Payton Tolle (BOS) What To Know: The two teams faced off in the wild-card round just last season, and N.Y. emerged victorious in three games. Prior to that, Boston defeated New York in the AL wild-card game in 2021, and beat the Yanks 3-1 in the AL divisional round back in 2018. Season Series: During the regular season, the Cubs went 5-1 against the Padres. Game 1 Matchup: Michael King (SD) vs. Matthew Boyd (CHI) What To Know: The Cubs beat the Padres 2-1 in last year’s wild-card round, but that series was played at Wrigley Field. The series now shifts to Petco Park. While Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken the baseball world by storm this summer and is a likely MVP, the Padres have been one of baseball’s hottest teams. San Diego owns MLB’s best record since July 24. Wild-Card Series: Atlanta leads 1-0 Game 1: The Braves eked out a 5-3 victory in Game 1 behind a 3-run homer from Austin Riley in the bottom of the eighth inning. Game 2 Matchup: Cristopher Sanchez (PHI) vs. Tyler Mahle (ATL)What To Know: The Braves and Phillies know each other well, and their rivalry has carried into October. The Phillies beat the Braves 3-1 in back-to-back division series in 2022 and 2023, and have won all three postseason series between the teams. Atlanta is on the right track in putting an end to that trend, however, taking a 1-0 lead over Philly in their best-of-three wild-card series.