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    MLB Playoff Fantasy 2026

    Draft your World Series contender roster for the 2026 MLB Playoffs. Create October baseball fantasy leagues with the one-player-per-team rule.

    Get notified when MLB Playoff Fantasy launches

    How MLB Playoff Fantasy Works

    The 2026 MLB Playoffs begin September 29 with 12 teams competing through the World Series in early November. Draft your championship roster with one player per MLB team maximum.

    Draft Rules

    • Draft 11 players total
    • Maximum 1 player per MLB team - Can't stack the Dodgers or Yankees
    • Required positions:
      • 1 Starting Pitcher (SP)
      • 1 Relief Pitcher (RP)
      • 1 Catcher (C)
      • 1 First Base (1B)
      • 1 Second Base (2B)
      • 1 Third Base (3B)
      • 1 Shortstop (SS)
      • 3 Outfielders (OF)

    Tournament Format

    Wild Card Round (Sept 29 - Oct 1):

    • Best-of-three series
    • 3 vs 6 seed, 4 vs 5 seed per league

    Division Series (Oct 3-9):

    • Best-of-five series
    • 1 seed hosts lowest WC winner
    • 2 seed hosts highest WC winner

    Championship Series (Oct 11-20):

    • Best-of-seven series
    • ALCS and NLCS

    World Series (Oct 24 - Nov 1):

    • Best-of-seven series
    • AL Champion vs NL Champion

    Scoring System

    ⚾ Pitchers

    • Out recorded (1/3 IP): +1 point
    • Strikeout: +1 point
    • Win: +2 points
    • Save: +4 points
    • Hold: +2 points
    • Hit allowed: -1 point
    • Earned run: -2 points
    • Walk: -1 point
    • Loss: -2 points

    🏏 Hitters

    • Total bases (1B=1, 2B=2, 3B=3, HR=4): +1 per base
    • Run scored: +1 point
    • RBI: +1 point
    • Walk: +1 point
    • Stolen base: +1 point
    • Strikeout: -1 point

    Why Play MLB Playoff Fantasy?

    October Baseball

    Every pitch carries postseason weight. Small sample sizes mean upsets happen — and your roster lives or dies on a single swing or strikeout.

    Strategic Depth

    The one-per-team rule makes roster construction a real puzzle. You can't just load up on the Dodgers — you need to spread across 11 teams and nail the balance of pitchers vs hitters.

    Built Around Advancement

    Draft players from teams you think go deep. A starter on a World Series team plays 4 rounds. A first-round exit means 3 games and done. Picking the right contenders is half the strategy.

    Free to Play

    No ads, no paywalls, no entry fees. Invite your league, draft your roster, and follow every game of October baseball with real stakes.

    Tournament Timeline

    September 29 - November 1, 2026

    • Wild Card Round: September 29 - October 1, 2026
    • Division Series: October 3-9, 2026
    • Championship Series: October 11-20, 2026
    • World Series: October 24 - November 1, 2026

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When do the 2026 MLB Playoffs start?

    The 2026 MLB Playoffs begin on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 with the Wild Card round. The playoffs run through early November with the World Series starting October 24 and potentially ending November 1.

    How many teams make the MLB playoffs?

    12 teams qualify for the MLB playoffs — 6 from the American League and 6 from the National League. Each league sends 3 division winners and 3 wild card teams to the postseason.

    Can I draft Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts together?

    No. The one-player-per-team rule means you cannot draft multiple players from the same MLB team. If you draft Ohtani (Dodgers), you cannot draft any other Los Angeles player including Betts.

    What happens if my player's team gets eliminated?

    Once a team is eliminated from the playoffs, their players stop earning points. This is why draft strategy matters — picking players from World Series contenders gives you more games and scoring opportunities through October.

    How does pitcher scoring work?

    Pitchers earn points for outs (+1 per out), strikeouts (+1), wins (+2), saves (+4), and holds (+2). Optional league settings can also track hits allowed (-1), earned runs (-2), walks (-1), and losses (-2). Starting pitchers typically score more due to innings pitched.

    Do starting pitchers get more games than relievers?

    Yes. Starting pitchers typically appear 1-2 times per series depending on days off and advancement, while relievers might pitch in more games but for fewer innings. Both can be valuable fantasy assets.

    Which teams are World Series favorites?

    Perennial contenders include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. However, October baseball is unpredictable and the one-per-team rule forces roster diversity.

    How long is each playoff series?

    Wild Card series are best-of-3 (2-3 days), Division Series are best-of-5 (3-5 days), and Championship Series and World Series are best-of-7 (4-7 days). Series length depends on how quickly a team clinches.

    Where can I watch MLB Playoff games?

    The 2026 MLB Playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN, FOX, TBS, and MLB Network in the United States. Games are also available on streaming platforms.

    Get notified when MLB Playoff Fantasy launches