DAYTON, Ohio — As the Postseason picture states, “No time like October.”

The Wild Card Round begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, and will give an early look at Postseason baseball before October even starts.

There are 12 teams contending for the World Series, and two teams from both the American and National Leagues earned byes to the Division Series as the top two seeds.

The Milwaukee Brewers claimed MLB’s best record 103-59, a franchise best, too.

Looking to three-peat as World Series champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers received a bye to the NLDS with a 100-62 record.

From the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays played to the league’s best record 98-64.

The Cleveland Guardians are the AL’s No. 2 seed and went 85-77.

Wild Card Game 1 schedule

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves: 2 p.m., NBC.

• LHP Jesus Luzardo against LHP Chris Sale.

Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros: 5 p.m., Peacock.

• LHP Hagen Smith against RHP AJ Blubaugh

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees: 8 p.m. NBC.

• LHP Payton Tolle against RHP Cam Schlittler.

Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres: 10 p.m. Peacock.

• LHP Matthew Boyd against RHP Michael King.

Philadelphia at Atlanta

Phillies

Record: 88-74, NL Wild Card No. 3

Philadelphia clinched the final National League Postseason spot with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Luis Arraez appears to be the X-factor right now. He’s dealing with an ankle injury. According to multiple reports Monday, Sept. 28, Arraez will not be on the Phillies WC roster.

This will cause Philadelphia to shift its infield and likely its batting order. The loss of Arraez, who hit .278 in 46 games, means the Phillies lose an experienced Postseason player: he’s been there each of the past three seasons.

Luzardo gets the ball to start the Series. He goes against Sale, who won the NL Cy Young award two seasons ago.

Braves

Record: 94-68, NL East champion

Series outlook

This is the third time in the past five years the Braves and Phillies meet in the Postseason. The Phillies went 4-9 against Atlanta in 2026 but 3-4 in their matchups during September. They eliminated the Braves both in 2022-23 when Atlanta won more than 100 games in each.

I think home field will play a big part in this series. Playing all three games in Atlanta is an advantage for the Braves, who I think have a chance to sweep the Phillies.

Sale pitched to no-decisions his past two outings. In two of his last three starts, the Phillies have opposed him. He’ll make his first Postseason start for Atlanta and the NL in Game 1.

Sale can set the tone. Against Philadelphia this season, Sale logged two wins in back-to-back starts in April, scattering six hits and one run across 13 innings with 16 strikeouts.

It is a much different Phillies team this go-around. If Philadelphia advances, it will be because of its superstars.

Kyle Schwarber’s return after free agency a year ago provided a push for the Phillies offense.

Philadelphia’s front office challenged Bryce Harper last offseason to reach his superstar status and potential, and he’s hit .269/.380/.865 in 2026. His .856 OPS is tied for 12th in all of baseball.

Game 1

Final: Braves 5, Phillies 3.

Austin Riley with the biggest swing of his career. Raisel Iglesias with the save.

Atlanta comes back in the bottom of the eighth inning and wins over NL East division rival Philadelphia 5-3. This sets up a huge Game 2 for Atlanta, and a pivotal one for the Phillies.

Middle of the 6th inning: Oh man. How about that Bryce Harper foul ball that would’ve been a go-ahead, two-run home run?

Might come down as the most critical at-bat of the game so far. Sale struck Harper out on a down-and-away slider for his eighth punch out through six innings.

Middle of the 1st inning: Chris Sale looked good for the first three Phillies batters, striking out leadoff hitter Trea Turner and Bryce Harper after walking Schwarber.

But the big hit belonged to Alec Bohm, who laced one to the base of the center field wall over Harris. It scored Schwarber.

Philadelphia scored the first run of the Postseason, and it may be a critical one.

Chicago (AL) at Houston

White Sox

Record: 84-78, AL Wild Card No. 3

Astros

Record: 81-81, AL West champion

Houston clinched the final AL Postseason spot by winning the AL West over the Texas Rangers with a 9-0 win at the Athletics on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Series outlook

Boston at New York (AL)

Red Sox

Record: 87-75, AL Wild Card No. 2

Yankees

Record: 93-68, AL Wild Card No. 1

Series outlook

This series is a rematch from last season.

With Judge’s health a factor and the Red Sox being a much different team than a year ago, I expect Boston to take this ALWC series the distance.

I think Boston wins in three games.

Chicago (NL) at San Diego

Cubs

Record: 89-73, NL Wild Card No. 2

Padres

Record: 91-71, NL Wild Card No. 1

Series outlook