Printable MLB Playoff Bracket 2026

Author Image Author: | Last Updated: December 2025

Your search for the MLB playoffs 2026 bracket printable has brought you to the right place. It’s never too early to look forward to the postseason.

Start by downloading our printable MLB playoff bracket that includes every round of the postseason. Additionally, we will provide insight into the teams likely to make the playoffs in 2026, along with tips on how to bet on the MLB postseason. 

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2026 MLB Printable Playoff Bracket

2026 MLB Printable Playoff Bracket

Below is a simple MLB printable playoff bracket that you can use to follow your favorite teams. You’re welcome to download this bracket and use it to make predictions for the 2026 MLB postseason or strategize your bets on playoff games. 

MLB Playoff Bracket

How to Use an MLB Playoff Bracket

Our printable MLB playoff bracket 2026 gives you everything you need to track postseason games. Here is how to use the bracket:

Hand stacking wooden blocks labeled “STEP BY STEP,” symbolizing a step-by-step process or guide
  1. Fill in the qualified teams once the regular season ends, or as teams lock their spots.
  2. Fill in the Wild Card matchups in the AL and NL.
  3. Compare betting odds and game predictions before each series starts
  4. Advance your predicted winners or wait until the games are complete to advance winners.
  5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the Division Series and League Championship Series.
  6. Pick your World Series winner from the winners of each League Championship Series.

Bonus Tip: Download multiple brackets before the postseason to test different playoff outcomes and check odds to find potential sleeper picks.

How the MLB Playoffs Work

How the MLB Playoffs Work

Twelve teams will make the MLB playoffs. Six teams from each league will participate, three division winners and three wild cards. 

Teams are seeded as follows:

Blank tournament bracket on white paper next to a stack of U.S. dollar bills on a wooden table, symbolizing betting or prize pools.

#1 – Best League records

#2 – Division winner with second-best record

#3 – Division winner with the third-best record

#4 – Wild card with best record

#5 – Wild card with second-best record

#6 – Wild card with third-best record

The #1 and #2 seeds receive a first-round bye and advance to the Divisional Series. Seeds 3 through 6 play the best-of-3 Wild Card Round. The #6 seed plays the #3 seed, and the #5 seed plays the #4 seed. 

From the Division Series forward, all rounds are best-of-7. The winners of the Wild Card Series advance to the Division Series. Division Series winners advance to the League Championship Series, and the winners from the League Championship Series play in the World Series. The winner of the World Series is the World Champion of Baseball.

From the Wild Card Series through the Division Series, the higher-seeded team gets home-field advantage. In the World Series, the team with the best regular-season record will have home-field advantage, regardless of initial seeding.

Key Matchups and Predictions

Key Matchups and Predictions

For the National League, the L.A. Dodgers are still the odds-on favorite to return to the World Series in 2026. They are reigning back-to-back champions and looking to claim their fourth title in six years. Beyond the Dodgers, the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies are likely to battle it out for the other bye. The Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Francisco Giants are likely to be Wild Card Contenders.

In the American League, the New York Yankees are the early favorites to take the pennant. The Mariners are also likely to return to the Playoffs, looking to improve on their ALCS finish last year. The Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox are all looking like wild card teams next year. While the Toronto Blue Jays reached the World Series in 2025, many expect them only to earn a wild card spot. 

Currently, we agree with most of the experts that the Dodgers are likely to go for a three-peat. Out of the other NL contenders, the Mets have the most talent, but need to avoid another late-season collapse to have a realistic shot at contention. The AL is much more open than the odds hint at. Barring the Yankees buying their way to another pennant, we see more potential in the Mariners, as they just missed out on the World Series in 2025.

Betting on the MLB Playoffs

Betting on the MLB Playoffs

All sportsbooks carry action on the MLB playoffs and offer a wide variety of bets. Common bets you will find for playoff games will include moneyline bets, total runs, and player prop bets. Some sportsbooks will offer futures bets before the playoffs, such as which team is likely to win the League Championship Series.

You can use your bracket to visualize and strategize your bets. For instance, if the #1 seed struggled against their Divisional Series opponent during the regular season, this could indicate a good value or sleeper pick. Creating separate brackets, one for your favorite team and another for teams with favorable odds, may help you explore multiple betting outcomes for the postseason. 

To learn more about betting on the MLB playoffs, including odds formats, betting strategies, and more, visit our MLB betting page.

A whole season of baseball awaits, so be sure to stay in the loop as the next season unfolds.

Summary

We’ve provided you with a free printable MLB playoff bracket that can help you easily track postseason action and plan your wagers. Whether you’re looking to follow along as a fan or looking to perfect your betting strategy, this bracket will help you track everything from the first pitch to the final out of the World Series.

If you’re looking for more ways to wager on Major League Baseball, be sure to check out our top-rated online sports betting sites. They offer run lines, over/unders, and season-long futures for every team in the league.

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