2026 MLB division series Day 1: Takeaways, analysis - ESPN

What a day to kick off the MLB division series!

The Chicago White Sox started the four-game Day 1 by shutting out the Cleveland Guardians. Then, in the second game of the day, Tarik Skubal helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves. The Tampa Bay Rays downed the New York Yankees behind a dominant performance from ace Drew Rasmussen. In the final game of the night, the Milwaukee Brewers took a tightly contested matchup with the San Diego Padres thanks to a seventh-inning William Contreras home run — and a dead-ball rule that cost Ty France an out on a moonshot that hit the Milwaukee roof in the ninth.

Looking to relive the action? We've got you covered with sights and sounds from the ballparks and postgame takeaways on each Day 1 matchup.

Key links: Mega-preview | Predictions | Bracket | Schedule

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CHW-CLE | ATL-LAD | NYY-TB | SD-MIL

We have all the best moments from the ballparks as the division series begins.

It was over when… Trevor Megill blew away Fernando Tatis with fastballs with two on, two out in the eighth. The bullpens for both teams were filthy, certainly no surprise given what they've done all season. Combined, the relievers stranded all 10 runners they inherited in Game 1. But this one was the biggie, because it meant the Padres were not going to be able to get the ball to Mason Miller with the game tied or San Diego in the lead.

Stat that defined the game: 100.1. That's how fast Adrian Morejon threw the sinker that William Contreras hammered out of the park to the opposite field to give the Brewers the lead in the seventh. According to TruMedia, it was just the 10th postseason homer on a pitch over 100 mph since 2008. To win this time of the year, you have to figure out a