2026 MLB wild-card series Day 1: Live updates, lineups, analysis

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          Austin Riley's go-ahead, 3-run HR sends Braves past Phillies in Game 1 (0:55)

          • ESPN
          Sep 29, 2026, 08:05 PM ET

          It's time for the 2026 MLB playoffs!

          The Atlanta Braves got Tuesday's action going with a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to Austin Riley's three-run blast in the eighth inning. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres will square off in the later National League matchup.

          In the American League, the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros followed by a rivalry showdown between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

          Who will get off to a hot start this postseason? We've got you covered with pregame lineups, sights and sounds from the ballparks and postgame takeaways as each Day 1 matchup ends.

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

          Jump to:
          Live updates | Takeaways | Lineups

          Live updates

          We have all the best moments from the ballparks on the first day of the playoffs.

          White Sox-Astros

          Follow live with pitch-by-pitch coverage

          Jose Altuve beats out the throw at first to score the Astros' third run

          Astros finally get on the board in the 5th

          Montgomery joins the party with a home run

          White Sox dancing early in October

          Chicago piles on in the 2nd

          Takeaways

          Atlanta Braves 5, Philadelphia Phillies 3

          Atlanta leads series 1-0

          It was over when ... Jhoan Duran left a fastball out over the plate and Austin Riley did not miss it. Riley's three-run blast in the eighth inning turned a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead and sent the Atlanta crowd into a frenzy. Three Raisel Iglesias outs later, the Braves were shaking hands one win away from a division series date with the Dodgers.

          Star who defined the game: In a game that appeared to be defined by stellar performances from starting pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Chris Sale, Riley stole the show with his dramatic home run.

          An even better sign for Atlanta fans: The home run came on a 99.9 mph fastball, the fastest pitch Riley has homered on in his career, regular season or playoffs. It has been a rough year for the third baseman, who hit just .219 this season, but if he gets going to lengthen the lineup, it will make the Braves a much tougher out this postseason. -- Dan Mullen

          Key moments from Braves' win

          Riley hits go-ahead blast

          Phillies reclaim lead on Realmuto's clutch hit

          Luzardo comes up big for Phillies

          Phillies strike first in Atlanta

          Lineups

          Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

          8 p.m. ET

          Game 1 starters: Payton Tolle vs. Cam Schlittler

          Lineups

          Red Sox
          1. Roman Anthony (L) DH
          2. Adley Rutschman (S) C
          3. Willson Contreras (R) 1B
          4. Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
          5. Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
          6. Nick Sogard (S) 2B
          7. Jarren Duran (L) LF
          8. Trevor Story (R) SS
          9. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B

          Yankees
          1. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
          2. Ben Rice (L) DH
          3. Heliot Ramos (R) RF
          4. Cody Bellinger (L) LF
          5. George Lombard Jr. (R) SS
          6. Amed Rosario (R) 3B
          7. Anthony Volpe (R) 2B
          8. Spencer Jones (L) CF
          9. Austin Wells (L) C

          Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres

          10 p.m. ET

          Game 1 starters: Matthew Boyd vs. Michael King

          Lineups

          Cubs
          1. Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
          2. Alex Bregman (R) DH
          3. Michael Busch (L) 1B
          4. Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
          5. Ian Happ (S) LF
          6. Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
          7. Pedro Ramirez (S) 3B
          8. Carson Kelly (R) C
          9. Dansby Swanson (R) SS

          Padres
          1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
          2. Samad Taylor (R) LF
          3. Manny Machado (R) 3B
          4. Ty France (R) 1B
          5. Jackson Merrill (L) CF
          6. Austin Hays (R) DH
          7. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
          8. Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
          9. Luis Campusano (R) C