We've got a Super Wednesday in the 2026 MLB playoffs. That's right, four games -- all win or go home for the teams with their backs against the wall. Does it get any better than that?
In the first American League game of the day, the Chicago White Sox hope to treat their home fans to a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians. Then it's Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the reigning back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves, as the Braves fight to play another day. Next up, another Game 3: The Tampa Bay Rays, up 2-0, look to bounce the New York Yankees in the Bronx. Finally, the San Diego Padres hope to stave off elimination once again as they face the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park.
We'll have all the day's action covered -- from lineups and keys to the game before first pitch to in-game analysis and postgame takeaways.
Key links: Mega-preview | Series outlooks | Bracket | Schedule
Jump to:
Live updates
Cleveland Guardians at Chicago White Sox
Follow live with pitch-by-pitch coverage
Highlights from Chicago
Adell clears the bases!
JO ADELL BASES-CLEARING TRIPLE! GUARDIANS LEAD! https://t.co/R8wa7HzTS0
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2026
Guardians strike back on Kwan's clutch single
Steven Kwan ties it for the Guardians! https://t.co/oWmSj4Ejey
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2026
Gold-star DP by Vargas
Miguel Vargas executes a perfect double play 😮💨 https://t.co/cheQMEQ2PT
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2026
Teel doubles in the first run
WHITE SOX STRIKE FIRST Kyle Teel drives in the first run of Game 3! https://t.co/3ht4Pbz4S3
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2026
The White Sox strike first as Espino issues an opening walk which comes around to score. Single and double in the inning as well. Sox up 1-0 after 1. Teams scoring first are 15-4 this postseason. White Sox win on Monday was 1 of those 4.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 7, 2026
History today on the South Side?
The White Sox have not clinched a postseason round at home since beating the Cubs in Game 6 of the 1906 World Series. The next closest team is the 1995 Reds. Sox have them beat by 89 years! Trying to end that drought today.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 7, 2026
Lineups
All times Eastern
Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves (6 p.m.)
Starting pitchers: Tyler Glasnow vs. Tyler Mahle
What Braves need to do to force Game 4: The task certainly got tougher after falling behind in the series with ace Chris Sale on the mound in Game 3, but there is still a path to getting this series back to L.A.
First, they need Mahle to keep doing what he has done since coming to Atlanta at the deadline. He posted at 1.99 ERA in nine regular-season starts and proved he can do it in the postseason last round against Philadelphia.
Secondly, the Braves must get Glasnow out of the game early like they did Blake Snell in Game 2. Glasnow made it through only five innings against the Braves in their regular-season matchup. The stakes are obviously higher this time, but that is exactly what Atlanta needs to do again as the Dodgers become much more vulnerable when the middle of their bullpen is in the game. -- Dan Mullen
Lineups
Dodgers
1. Mookie Betts (R) SS
2. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
3. Will Smith (R) C
4. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
5. Teoscar Hernandez (R) LF
6. Max Muncy (L) 3B
7. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B
8. Kyle Tucker (L) RF
9. Andy Pages (R) CF
Braves
1. Michael Harris II (L) CF
2. Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
3. Matt Olson (L) 1B
4. Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
5. Drake Baldwin (L) DH
6. Mike Yastrzemski (L) LF
7. Mauricio Dubon (R) SS
8. Austin Riley (R) 3B
9. Sean Murphy (R) C
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees (8 p.m.)
Starting pitchers: Nick Martinez vs. Max Fried
What Yankees need to do to force Game 4: Score some runs early to ease the pressure. As ugly as the defense was in Game 2, the offense has been the bigger problem for New York in this series. Both Yankees runs this postseason came via home runs by the scalding Ben Rice. Their five hits are the fewest through two games of a playoff series in franchise history. The Yankees' three through five hitters -- Luis Garcia Jr., Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. -- went 0-for-21 with seven strikeouts and no walks at Tropicana Field. Manager Aaron Boone on Monday said he's considering making lineup changes against right-hander Nick Martinez after using the same lineup with eight left-handed hitters in the first two games. It wouldn't hurt. -- Jorge Castillo
Lineups
Rays
1. Yandy Diaz (R) DH
2. Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
3. Junior Caminero (R) 3B
4. Victor Mesa Jr. (L) LF
5. Ryan Vilade (R) RF
6. Liam Hicks (L) C
7. Jonny DeLuca (R) CF
8. Richie Palacios (L) 2B
9. Taylor Walls (S) SS
Yankees
1. Trent Grisham (L) CF
2. Ben Rice (L) DH
3. Luis Garcia Jr. (L) 1B
4. Cody Bellinger (L) LF
5. George Lombard Jr. (R) SS
6. Austin Wells (L) C
7. Anthony Volpe (R) 2B
8. Spencer Jones (L) RF
9. Jose Caballero (R) 3B
Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres (10 p.m.)
Starting pitchers: Robert Gasser vs. Walker Buehler
What Padres need to do to force Game 4: With their season on the line once more, the Padres will turn to Buehler in Game 4. He has been a godsend for a thin Padres rotation this season, and he is no stranger to big playoff moments from his time with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. But his leash will be short.
The Padres also seem optimistic that Mason Miller will be back off the paternity list on Wednesday, and that Adrian Morejon will be recovered enough from a stiff shoulder to join him in the bullpen. If that ends up being the case, the Padres could be in good shape. If not, they'll have to get creative once more. -- Alden Gonzalez
Lineups
Brewers
TBD
Padres
1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
2. Jackson Merrill (L) CF
3. Manny Machado (R) 3B
4. Ty France (R) 1B
5. Austin Hays (R) DH
6. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
7. Luis Campusano (R) C
8. Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
9. Samad Taylor (R) LF