The final spot in the 12-team MLB postseason was decided in Game 162. The Astros claimed the American League West title despite finishing with the worst full-season record ever for a playoff team in MLB history, while the Phillies narrowly held off the Diamondbacks to capture the last National League wild-card berth on the season’s final day.
Though the Astros ended the season at 81-81, they will host the White Sox in their wild-card series. Meanwhile, other matchups include the Yankees hosting the Red Sox, the Braves facing the Phillies, and the Padres taking on the Cubs. Each best-of-three series kicks off on Tuesday. Here’s how the eight wild-card teams stack up as they battle for a place in the Division Series.
Astros vs. White Sox
The Astros secured their postseason spot with the poorest record by a playoff team in MLB history, edging out the Rangers by just one game in the AL West. Despite having 13 fewer wins than the Braves, the No. 3 seed in the NL, Houston benefits from playing a comparatively weaker opponent in the wild-card round. While roster depth has been problematic all year—resulting in the firing of GM Dana Brown in August—the Astros led the league in home runs and have AL MVP favorite Yordan Alvarez to offset offensive struggles, especially in an outfield with the lowest batting averages and on-base percentages in baseball. Their pitching staff is thin but boasts Hunter Brown at the top and closer Josh Hader, who posted a stellar 1.01 ERA with 26 saves. Their first-round opponent may face even bigger pitching challenges.
White Sox at Astros
Chicago’s return to the playoffs after three consecutive 100-loss seasons—including one of the worst in modern history—is a significant turnaround. Although they missed the AL Central title after September struggles, the White Sox enter the postseason with momentum, having won their last three series. Their youthful offense, featuring hitters like Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and Colson Montgomery—all with 30+ home runs—ranks fifth in MLB homers, though they also strike out frequently. Pitching concerns remain, particularly in the rotation (26th in ERA) and bullpen, which logged the most innings in the majors.
Phillies at Braves
What should have been an easy clinch turned into a nail-biter as the Phillies held onto the final NL wild-card spot until the very last game. Their offense slumped in September, and an injury to Jesús Luzardo didn’t help, but after a rocky start to the season that included managerial changes, Philadelphia made the postseason for the fifth straight year. They had to rely heavily on Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to secure their spot, raising concerns about pitching depth against a Braves team that dominated the regular season series and won the NL East.
Yankees vs. Red Sox
Willson Contreras’s return in the regular-season finale was a huge boost for Boston’s offense; he ranks third in OPS among qualified MLB players and far ahead of his teammates. If Contreras remains hindered by injury, players like Roman Anthony and Adley Rutschman will need to step up for a team that ranked last in runs scored in September. Fortunately, the Red Sox bullpen was the best in MLB this year, and their rotation—led by rookie Payton Tolle, Sonny Gray, and Ranger Suarez—offers upside against the Yankees.
Cubs at Padres
Pete Crow-Armstrong, a National League MVP frontrunner with a spectacular 40-40 season, led the Cubs, who finished with the highest OPS in baseball despite a slow September. Alex Bregman’s impressive comeback following facial fractures also energized the lineup. Pitching remains an issue, however, with concerns over an injury to Kevin Gausman and overall struggles both in the rotation and bullpen. Still, Chicago boasts the league’s best defense and the potential to outscore any opponent.
Padres vs. Cubs
Once sitting at 50-53 with just 7.4% playoff odds in late July, the Padres have transformed into one of the hottest teams, earning home-field advantage in the wild-card round. Their offense rebounded dramatically after the All-Star break, highlighted by Fernando Tatís Jr.’s surge from three home runs in 82 games to 22 in the next 72. Backed by a dominant bullpen, though hampered by a less reliable rotation, San Diego has become a formidable October threat, especially at home where they went 51-30 this season.
Yankees at Red Sox
Aaron Judge’s health casts some uncertainty over the Yankees, as the team performed significantly better when he was in the lineup. Nevertheless, contributions from Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt provide some offensive depth. Pitching is a key strength, with potential edge-men like AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón forming a powerful rotation supported by a flexible bullpen.
Braves vs. Phillies
Chris Sale continues to impress with a 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts at age 37, but much pressure rests on the Braves to win at pitcher-led games. Tyler Mahle showed brilliance after joining Atlanta, though depth beyond the top starters is a concern. The Braves compensate with a strong bullpen and an offense led by a heating-up Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson’s 41 home runs, and solid performances from Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris II. Proving last year’s 76-win season was an anomaly, Atlanta remains the strongest wild-card team.
Fan Take:
This intense wild-card race highlights the growing parity and unpredictability in MLB, making every September game feel like a playoff showdown. For baseball fans, it underscores the thrill of October, where even teams with uneven regular seasons can make deep runs, keeping the sport exciting and competitive.
Source: www.foxsports.com
