October 7 marked the final day that four games would be played during the 2026 MLB regular season. Both the Rays and White Sox had the chance to clinch a spot in the ALCS — but only one did. On the National League side, the Dodgers’ three-peat bid moved forward with an NLDS win over the Braves. And in the other matchup, Milwaukee earned a rematch.
Guardians force Game 4
The Guardians won 9-3 in Chicago to avoid elimination, forcing a fourth game between Cleveland and the White Sox on October 8.
Kyle Teel got the White Sox in front early with an RBI double but Cleveland was able to take the lead in the fourth. Cleveland scored four in the fourth, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Jo Adell. The Guardians tacked on another in the fifth, and two more in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.
The White Sox’s offense did itself no favors. Chicago hitters struck out 19 times during Game 3. Foster Griffin, who picked up the win, had seven, while Cade Smith struck out five over two scoreless innings.
Dodgers punch ticket to NLCS
For the third straight year, the Los Angeles Dodgers will go to the NLCS. Los Angeles knocked out the Braves with a 4-1 win over the Braves in Game 4.
Braves starter Tyler Mahle did enough to stymie the Dodgers’ bats, as he struck out four and allowed just one earned run over 6.1 IP. He left in the seventh, which was the inning in which the Dodgers took charge. Andy Pages hit a two-run single off Robert Suarez to give LA the lead. Max Muncy padded it with a solo home run.
The Dodgers’ bullpen went 4.1 innings to complete the win.
Rays knock out Yankees
Tampa Bay completed a three-game sweep of the Yankees, pushing the Rays to their first ALCS since 2020.
Both the Rays and Yankees traded runs in the third and fourth innings, respectively. But in the sixth, Victor Mesa Jr. hit a two-run home run that wound up being the difference in Game 3. Mesa Jr. was also involved in another pivotal play, as he attempted to catch a fly ball hit by Anthony Volpe to left field that was initially ruled a home run.
However, it was overturned on account of fan interference, pushing Volpe back to second and costing the Yankees a run that would have tied the game.
Brewers earn return trip to NLCS
The Brewers won 3-1 in San Diego, ending a lengthy road postseason losing skid and earning a second straight NLCS berth.
Milwaukee and San Diego each traded runs in the third. But in the fifth, Jackson Chourio burned the Padres again with an RBI single. One inning later, Sal Frelick drove in Jake Bauers with a sac fly for insurance.
Aaron Ashby led the Brewers’ bullpen effort with three scoreless innings. The Brewers had a late scare, as Manny Machado nearly hit a two-run home run off Abner Uribe. Garrett Mitchell, though, prevented that by robbing him of such over the short center field wall in Petco Park.
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