The most wonderful time of the year

🐘 Before we get into the matchups, there’s a major elephant in the room surrounding this year’s postseason: the looming lockout. MLB’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires on December 1st, but the league and its players’ union remain at odds in discussions.

• The major point of contention? Team owners want to implement a salary cap, arguing it will help smaller-market teams compete with the big dogs (looking at you, LA Dodgers) while players staunchly oppose the cap and that notion.

• If the parties can’t reach a resolution, the owners could initiate a work stoppage. Labor disputes have led to canceled baseball before — sometimes months’ worth. Gulp.

🏆 Negotiations don’t entirely hinge on this postseason’s results, but they could help either side build their arguments, depending on how it goes down.

• If the high-spending Dodgers nab a World Series three-peat? It’s time to limit that spending. But if a small-market team like the Tampa Bay Rays or Milwaukee Brewers break through? Well, there goes the owners’ case.

• Of course, it’s not exactly this black and white, but the stakes feel even higher as October baseball gets underway. Watch this space.

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🙏 Chicago White Sox vs. 🚀 Houston Astros — Today at 5 p.m. ET: Divine intervention or not, the White Sox completed one of the best turnarounds in baseball history last offseason, going from last year’s franchise-worst 102 losses to a playoff squad this year. The Astros, meanwhile, squeaked in with the worst-ever regular-season record for a division winner.

• The long ball could define this series: Houston blasted a league-leading 226 home runs, while Chicago went yard 211 times. Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez vs. White Sox rookie breakout star Munetaka Murakami? Can’t wait.

🧦 Boston Red Sox vs. 🍎 NY Yankees — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET: One of the fiercest rivalries in sports will gain a new chapter as these rivals meet in the Wild Card round for the second straight season. NY has the pitching advantage, boasting AL Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler and three-time All-Star Max Fried, but Boston’s breakout star Payton Tolle and veteran Sonny Gray can hurl it too.

• The main question mark is injuries: The Yanks may or may not have super slugger Aaron Judge, while Boston’s All-Stars Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela have been battling injuries. But one thing’s for sure: These fierce foes will bring it on the big stage.

🛡️ No. 2 Cleveland Guardians (bye to ALDS): The Guards are making their third straight playoff appearance, taking the divisional crown in the (admittedly not-so-competitive) AL Central and doing it with the league’s lowest payroll. If these underdogs make a deep run, don’t be surprised if José Ramirez is at the center of it — the 13-year vet is the heart and soul of this squad.

🌴 No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays (bye to ALDS): Back in the postseason for the first time since 2023, the Rays defied expectations this year, winning the division title in the stacked AL East. Leading the way? Third baseman and AL MVP contender Junior Caminero, who can change the game with one swing of the bat. Talk about bringing the sting.

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🔔 Philadelphia Phillies vs. 🍑 Atlanta Braves — Today at 2 p.m. ET: Call these NL East foes Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr because they keep meeting, facing off in the postseason for the third time in the last five years. Atlanta won the division crown and holds a 9-4 regular-season record over Philly, while their rivals almost missed the playoffs entirely.

• The Braves are sending ageless ace Chris Sale to the mound for Game 1 against Phillies boppers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. All signs point to Atlanta advancing, but you can never count out some Red October magic.

🐻 Chicago Cubs vs. 🤎 San Diego Padres — Tonight at 10 p.m. ET: A rematch of last year’s Wild Card, this series features two of the game’s biggest stars: Chicago’s NL MVP frontrunner Pete Crow-Armstrong and San Diego standout Fernando Tatís Jr. The Cubbies won in three close games last time around, and this year’s edition should bring more of the same.

• The matchup on our mind? Chicago’s high-scoring offense vs. the Padres’ shutdown relievers. The Cubs scored a league-best 850 runs this season, but the Dads boast one of the best bullpens in baseball, anchored by reliever Mason Miller.

💙 No. 2 LA Dodgers (bye to NLDS): Death, taxes, and the Dodgers in the postseason. The juggernaut Blue Crew are back in the playoffs for the 14th straight season and are vying for a World Series three-peat. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s been dealing with an injury, but nonetheless, LA feels as inevitable as they come.

🍻 No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers (bye to NLDS): The Brewers ran it back, once again posting the best record in the bigs. And while last year’s run came courtesy of the Power of Friendship, this season’s success can be traced to pitcher Jacob Misiorowski’s complete and utter dominance.

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