MLB’s regular season is over and October baseball hits hard this week: four wild-card series open Tuesday, Sept. 30, and the first Division-Series games arrive Saturday, October 4.
Between rivalry heat, storybook comebacks and heavyweight pitching matchups, here are the five games you shouldn’t miss this week.
Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Guardians — Wild Card Series Game 1, Tuesday, Sept. 30
Cleveland came back to win the AL Central and will host Detroit in the Wild Card Series. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is expected to start Game 1, while the Guardians could counter with young right-hander Gavin Williams.
The winner of this series goes to the top-seeded Seattle Mariners in the ALDS.
San Diego Padres @ Chicago Cubs — Wild Card Series Game 1, Tuesday, Sept. 30
San Diego made a late push to grab the final NL spot, while Chicago got home-field advantage at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs’ rotation finished strong so it’s a battle of lineups and bullpens in front of one of the best atmospheres in baseball.
Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees — Wild Card Series Game 1, Tuesday, Sept. 30
What postseason matchups are bigger than Red Sox vs. Yankees? Boston is expected to start Garrett Crochet in Game 1, while New York goes with Max Fried in the Bronx. The winner of this series goes to the top-seeded Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.
Cincinnati Reds @ Los Angeles Dodgers — Wild Card Series Game 1, Tuesday
The Dodgers open at home against a scrappy Reds team. Cincinnati brings one of the league’s hardest-throwing staffs, while LA has a deep playoff-tested roster. October in Dodger Stadium will be electric.
Division Series Game 1 — Saturday
There’s no rest for the Wild Card winners as they face the top seeds at the end of the week. Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners in the American League, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies in the National League. Each Game 1 sets the tone for the rest of October.
