The Wild Card Round of the MLB playoffs is now complete, with the Braves, Padres, White Sox and Yankees punching their way into the Divisional Round. Only one series went the distance, as the Braves and Phillies continued their semi-annual battle in a winner-take-all game three, while each of the other series ended in clean 2–0 sweeps. Eight teams now remain, vying for the World Series, and here are my takeaways from the Wild Card Round as well as what I am looking forward to in these upcoming series.
“Chris Sale and Pray for Hail”
I am a Braves fan and couldn’t resist writing about the Braves finally getting over the hump in the postseason against their always feisty division rival. The Phillies have been death for America’s Team in the past decade but clutch hitting and unlikely big-time performances on the mound proved to be enough for the Braves to outlast the Phillies in 2026.
In the ‘50s, there was a catchphrase of “Spahn then Sain then pray for rain” when the Braves only had two good starting pitchers, but for the 2026 Braves, “Chris Sale and Pray for Hail” might be more accurate. Injuries have hampered the Braves’ rotation, requiring Chris Sale to put the team on his back in this three-game set, pitching into the seventh inning in the Game 1 victory before getting the final four outs in Game 3 on only one day’s rest. Journeyman Ray Kerr also had a huge performance in the deciding game of the series, but a beleaguered Braves team now stares down a Goliath in the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Divisional Round. Don’t cross your fingers.
A Yankees three-Headed monster
Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. Schlittler, Fried and Cole. That could very well be the company for this trio of starters atop the Yankees rotation. Fried and Cole are well-established veterans who have been torturing big league hitters for a decade, while 25-year-old Cam Schlittler has burst onto the scene in his first full MLB season with a Cy Young-caliber season. The three are also already more than proven when October rolls around. Max Fried was part of the 2021 Braves World Series squad, while Gerrit Cole has pitched in two different World Series and owns a 2.77 ERA in 133.1 career postseason innings. Cam Schlitter has the shortest resume of the three but in his young career has been an outstanding big game performer. In his three career postseason appearances, he has only allowed two runs in 20.2 innings.
The Rays earned the top spot in the American League, but the Yankees have firepower in their rotation that perhaps only New York money can buy. This series will be the classic clash between a scrappy small market team and the bruising Bronx Bombers roster.
Is anyone hotter than the Padres?
The San Diego Padres finished the season scorching hot and parlayed that into a decisive sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card. Their success is in large part due to a plethora of backend bullpen arms highlighted by star closer Mason Miller. Miller has been unhittable this year. He sports a 1.67 ERA while leading the NL in saves and recording 129 strikeouts in only 70 innings. Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez and Yuki Matsui have also been dominant in 2026, giving the Padres an arsenal of relief pitchers at their disposal.
Their lineup also packs some punch with star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. leading the charge. The Friars match up with the Milwaukee Brewers in the Divisional Round and will be heavy underdogs. However, history has shown that momentum and a bullpen can get you a long way in the MLB playoffs, so watch out for the Padres to potentially go on a run.
