MLB Playoffs: Breaking Down Every Wild Card Matchup

The 2026 MLB Wild Card Series is here. DVR and Eno break down all four Wild Card matchups before Tuesday's postseason quadruple-header, digging into the key stats, pitching matchups and tactical advantages that could decide each best-of-three series. Can the Phillies finally get their offense going against Chris Sale and the Braves? Philadelphia had to push all the way through the final day of the regular season, leaving its pitching plan complicated for Game 1. The surprising White Sox head to Houston to face an Astros team with plenty of October experience — but major questions in its starting rotation. Could the power in these two lineups turn White Sox-Astros into the highest-scoring series of the Wild Card round? The Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry in the Bronx. Boston brings one of the most left-handed pitching staffs we've seen in the postseason, creating fascinating lineup decisions for New York — while Aaron Judge's availability remains one of the biggest questions entering the series. Finally, the Cubs travel to San Diego for a rematch of last year's Wild Card Series. Chicago has one of the best offenses in the postseason field, while the Padres counter with an elite bullpen and a lineup that could run directly into one of the Cubs' biggest defensive strengths. Plus, DVR and Eno make their picks for all four Wild Card Series and look ahead to what the winners could face in the Division Series. And join Rates & Barrels LIVE Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! We'll go live during the seventh inning of the final game of the night to recap the day's Wild Card action and preview what's coming next. Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any of our postseason coverage. #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor: Jed Lowrie Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 2026 MLB Wild Card Preview 00:36 The Wild Card Round Is Here 01:31 Why Do So Few Wild Card Series Reach Game 3? 02:41 Phillies vs. Braves 03:32 What's Wrong With These Two Offenses? 07:41 Chris Sale Gives Atlanta the Game 1 Edge 08:31 How Will Philadelphia Handle Its Pitching? 09:51 Who Wins Phillies-Braves? 11:44 Who Would the Dodgers Rather Face? 13:16 Rates & Barrels LIVE Wild Card Coverage 13:53 BREAK 14:36 White Sox vs. Astros 14:59 Houston's Starting Pitching Problem 16:16 How Should Chicago Pitch Yordan Alvarez? 18:30 Could This Series Become a Track Meet? 19:53 Can the Young White Sox Handle October? 22:18 Houston's Huge Premium-Velocity Advantage 23:22 Is This the Series Most Likely to Reach Game 3? 24:16 Who Would Cleveland Rather Face? 26:23 Who Wins White Sox-Astros? 27:08 Red Sox vs. Yankees 27:31 Boston's Historic Left-Handed Pitching Staff 28:34 How Do the Yankees Adjust to All Those Lefties? 32:23 Does Boston's Handedness Close the Pitching Gap? 33:48 Boston's Elite Bullpen 34:34 Who Wins Red Sox-Yankees? 35:39 BREAK 36:00 Cubs vs. Padres 36:19 Can Chicago Hit San Diego's Pitching? 38:55 Will Ground Balls Sink the Padres? 42:53 Why the Cubs' Offense Is Built for October 44:48 Who Wins Cubs-Padres? 46:41 Who Would the Rays Rather Face? 47:25 Who Would the Brewers Rather Face? 48:35 LIVE Wild Card Coverage This Week Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.