The 2026 MLB playoffs begin Wednesday without the Texas Rangers. But that won’t stop our team of experts from weighing in on the four Wild card series. Here are picks from insiders Evan Grant and Shawn McFarland and columnists Tim Cowlishaw and Kevin Sherrington:

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Cowlishaw: Sox bats slowed down a month but their bullpen just may be enough to save them. Chapman haunts NY. Red Sox in 3.

Grant: Schlittler and Fried and there is no need … for Game 3. Yankees in 2.

McFarland: It’s tough luck that one of these two teams will be knocked out before the divisional series. Red Sox in 2. 

Sherrington: No Judge, but the jury’s in on the Yankees, and their starting pitching pulls them through. Yankees in 3.   

Astros vs. White Sox

Cowlishaw: Sox almost fell out of the playoffs, Astros fell in. Would be shameful if Houston advanced. Vargas blasts them out. White Sox in 2.

Grant: White Sox bullpen worked most innings in MLB in September and are gassed. Alvarez goes off. Mediocre Astros in 3

McFarland: Wouldn’t it be fitting if the incredibly average AL West sent a team on a deep playoff run? Astros in 3. 

Sherrington: The good news for Rangers fans is the Astros will take the heat for being a top-3 seed with that record. White Sox in 3.

Padres vs. Cubs

Cowlishaw: Cubs fans still haunted by 1984 and Padres’ comeback. San Diego much better team now. Padres in 2.

Grant: The Padres, 18-6 in September, are a hit TV show right now. The show: “Nobody Wants This.” Padres in 2.

McFarland: Alex Bregman’s broken face serves as inspiration. Cubs in 3. 

Sherrington: The Cubs may have the best lineup in the playoffs. Can their pitching hold up? Cubs in 3.

Braves vs. Phillies

Cowlishaw: Schwarber ignites the fading Phils. This has happened before. It happens again. Phillies in 3.

Grant: Braves dominated season series against the Phadin’ Phils, 9-4. Nothing suggests that will change. Braves in 2.

McFarland: If there’s going to be a Wild Card team that makes a World Series push (and it feels like there always is), then it’ll be these guys. Phillies in 3.