MLB Playoffs 2026 Begin With Phillies vs. Braves

The 2026 Major League Baseball Playoffs officially began on Tuesday, September 29, marking the start of the postseason baseball season. The opening matchup features the Philadelphia Phillies facing the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card Series. Game 1 of this series took place at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. This game was broadcast on NBC, providing viewers with an early opportunity to watch live playoff action. The MLB Playoffs are a highly anticipated annual event in professional baseball, determining the league champion through a series of elimination rounds. The structure of the playoffs typically involves multiple series, starting with the Wild Card round and progressing through the Division Series, Championship Series, and culminating in the World Series. Each series is a best-of-five or best-of-seven format, requiring teams to win a specific number of games to advance. The teams participating in the playoffs are determined by their regular season performance, with division winners and wild card teams earning berths. The Wild Card Series, introduced in recent years, allows for more teams to compete in the initial postseason rounds. The Philadelphia Phillies are a professional baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, competing in Major League Baseball's National League East division. The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area, also competing in Major League Baseball's National League East division. Their rivalry is a significant one within the National League. Truist Park is the home stadium for the Atlanta Braves, located in the Cumberland area of Cobb County, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta. NBC is a major broadcast television network in the United States, known for airing a wide range of sporting events, news, and entertainment programming. The commencement of the playoffs signifies the end of the regular season, which typically runs from late March or early April through late September. The postseason then extends into October, concluding with the World Series. Fans often seek various methods to watch these games, including traditional cable television, over-the-air broadcasts, and increasingly, live streaming services. The specific broadcast details for Game 1, including the network and time, are crucial for fans wanting to follow the action from the outset. The 2026 MLB Playoffs are expected to draw significant viewership, reflecting the sport's enduring popularity. The schedule for the entire postseason is extensive, encompassing numerous games across different series and time zones, all leading up to the crowning of the World Series champion.