MLB playoffs: First-look preview of division series matchups - ESPN

The 2026 MLB division series matchups are starting to take shape, as the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres all advanced out of the wild-card round Wednesday. The Atlanta Braves completed the division series field with a Game 3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

What have we learned about each team so far? What does each remaining club need to do to move on to the League Championship Series? Which players could be their teams' October difference-makers? And which favorites should be on upset watch in the round ahead?

Our ESPN MLB experts are here to break it all down as every division series matchup is set.

Key links: Mega-preview | Bracket | Schedule

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

Upset forecast (Dodgers win 62% of simulations): The Dodgers ranked only three spots higher than Atlanta by run differential, but the gap is bigger than the order of teams suggests as L.A. held an 85-run edge in that category. The Dodgers have a whopping 13-win advantage by my ratings of each team's playoff roster.

Atlanta arguably has a slight edge in the bullpen and that would certainly be key if the Braves can play from ahead, or at least keep things close. But make no mistake: If Atlanta is able to topple the Dodgers, it would very much be an upset.

Dodgers concern level: Not much. They know the Braves are a quality opponent with high-level veterans who have won before in the postseason. The Dodgers also know themselves as a two-time defending champion. In terms of health and trajectory, Los Angeles is exactly where it hoped to be as the playoffs opened. This can be a competitive series to be sure but there's little reason for the Dodgers to see the Braves as a particularly dire threat to