As summer winds down and the air gets crisp, you know what’s coming: the MLB playoffs. The NFL season is already underway, and if you’re also a baseball lover, this next month is essential viewing. The MLB has gone through a number of changes in recent years. From the universal DH and pitch clock to video replay and an automated strike zone, baseball can look very different if you haven’t been paying attention.
This week the division series matchups come to an end. The Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers advanced to the next round, while the Braves, Yankees, and Padres were eliminated. The White Sox and Guardians are the only teams in action today. Don’t want to miss a minute of the action? Here’s how you can watch live.
What time is White Sox vs Guardians game 5?
Today’s game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians will take place Saturday October 10th at 8pm ET.
How to watch White Sox vs. Guardians game 5?
American League Division Series games are broadcast on TBS, while National League games are on Fox and FS1. You can also watch them with a Live TV or sports streaming subscription from DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, HBO Max, Hulu, Sling, Sportsnet+ (if you’re in Canada) or YouTube TV.
How to watch the games for free
If you don’t want to subscribe to any of the above platforms, you can sign up for some free trials to get access to this weekend’s games. Fox One and Hulu offer three-day trials, DirecTV and Fubo offer five days, and YouTube TV gives you 10 days free.
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2026 MLB Playoffs Schedule
MLB’s expanded postseason means more teams on the playoff schedule. Things started with the best-of-three wild card series where the Braves, Padres, White Sox and Yankees advanced. Now, the best-of-five division series pits them against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays, respectively.
The best-of-seven championship series begins Oct. 11 to determine the best team in each league. The winner of each league will then advance to a best-of-seven World Series to begin on October 23. Who will make it all the way?
Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians – CWS lead 2-1
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers
Game 1 on Oct. 11 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 2 on Oct. 12 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 3 on Oct. 14 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 4 on Oct. 15 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 5 on Oct. 16 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 6 on Oct. 18 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
Game 7 on Oct. 19 @ TBD – Fox / FS1
TBD vs Tampa Bay Rays
Game 1 on October 12th @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 2 on October 13th @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 3 on October 15 @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 4 on October 16th @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 5 on October 17th @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 6 on October 19 @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
Game 7 on October 20 @ TBD – TBS / HBO Max
(Credit: MLB)
How to stream the 2026 MLB Playoffs
This year’s MLB postseason is spread across multiple networks and streaming services. All Wild Card Series games for the American League and National League were broadcast on NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Additional rounds will be on other networks. ALDS and ALCS games are on TBS/TruTV and HBO Max, while NLDS and NLCS games are on Fox/FS1. For the World Series, all games will be broadcast on Fox and the Fox One streaming service.
DirecTV: DirecTV’s MySports Base Pack costs $45 per month for the first six months to watch every game on Fox, FS1, NBC and TBS/TruTV.
Fox One: Fox’s own streaming app lets you watch the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series on Fox and FS1 for $20 a month.
Fubo: Fubo’s sports plan costs $45.99 for the first month to watch the Wild Card Series, NLDS, NLCS and World Series on Fox, FS1 and NBC/NBCSN.
HBO Max: If you pay for the $18.49 per month HBO Max Standard, you can watch the ALDS and ALCS games on TBS/TruTV.
Hulu: For $90 a month, you can watch every game on Fox, FS1, NBC, TBS, and TruTV.
Peacock: Instead of a live TV service, you have to pay $10.99 per month for Peacock Premium to watch the Wild Card Series games.
Snake: The $60.99 per month Sling Orange & Blue bundle lets you watch the ALDS and ALCS on TBS/TruTV and the NLDS and NLCS on FS1. Day passes are also available for Sling Orange, allowing you to watch games on TBS for up to seven days.
Sportsnet+ (Canada only): The $30-per-month standard tier lets you watch every postseason game.
YouTube TV: Although the standard plan for YouTube TV costs $83 per month, you can now pay for the cheaper $65 Sports package to see all games on Fox, FS1, NBC/NBCSN, and TBS/TruTV.
Can I watch postseason games on MLB.TV?
Already an MLB.TV subscriber? You can watch the Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series games via MLB’s own streaming service — but there’s a catch. To watch MLB.TV, you must first authenticate through a participating pay TV provider. It’s such a moot point that it makes the whole question moot. If you already have a TV provider, you don’t need to use a streaming service. If you don’t already have an MLB.TV subscription, don’t pay for one now.
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How can I listen to the 2026 postseason?
You can also listen to the games via ESPN Radio.
Which teams are in the playoffs?
Since MLB’s postseason picture expanded in 2022, a total of 12 teams make the playoffs each year. That includes six teams per league, including the three division winners and three wild card teams.
American League Division Winners: Tampa Bay Rays (1), Cleveland Guardians (2),
Houston Astros (3)American League Wild Card:
New York Yankees (4),Boston Red Sox (5)Chicago White Sox (6)National League Division Winners: Milwaukee Brewers (1), Los Angeles Dodgers (2),
Atlanta Braves (3)National League Wild Card:
Chicago Cubs (4),Philadelphia Phillies (5),San Diego Padres (6)
Upgrade your streaming experience
If you decide to watch the MLB postseason, there is still time to e large-screen television to see this beautiful game. Pro tip: Turn on your TV’s motion option for the best picture when viewing Sports. Just remember to turn it off before watching other TV shows and movies to avoid the dreaded “soap opera” effect.
About Our Expert
Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
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As PCMag’s content editor, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I’m used to pretending to be an expert.
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