MLB Division Series 2026: Misiorowski, Skubal and Messick Headline First Postseason Starts

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The 2026 Major League Baseball Division Series opens on Saturday, September 27, 2026, with the top two seeds in the American League and National League taking the field. Fans will get their first look at the highest-seeded clubs this weekend, with Game 1 matchups set at American Family Field in Milwaukee and other ballparks across the country. Four pitching matchups headline the opening day of the next round of the MLB playoffs.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski will take the mound in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres. The 24-year-old posted a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings during the 2026 regular season. This will be his first postseason start after appearing in three playoff games for the Brewers earlier in his career.

The Brewers rely on Misiorowski as their ace after a breakout campaign. His low ERA and high strikeout total placed him among the top pitchers in the National League this year. San Diego will counter with a veteran southpaw who aims to keep Milwaukee's bats in check as the Padres' hitters face one of the league's best young pitchers.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal will start the team's first playoff game of 2026. The Dodgers traded for him in August, and now that moment has arrived. The back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner will toe the slab after a strong August performance following the trade.

Skubal, a 29-year-old left-hander, previously won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award before adding consecutive honors. He last pitched in the postseason for the Detroit Tigers before joining Los Angeles. His presence gives the Dodgers a proven ace for the opener against the Atlanta Braves.

The Dodgers enter the Division Series as one of the top seeds in the National League after advancing past the Wild Card round. Skubal's start marks a key moment for a club aiming for a deep October run. Atlanta, meanwhile, looks to pull off an upset behind its own pitching plans.

The Cleveland Guardians will give the ball to left-hander Parker Messick for their first postseason game of 2026. The 25-year-old posted a 2.56 ERA in 32 starts for Cleveland this year, striking out 193 batters in 186 1/3 innings. This will be the young southpaw's playoff debut during a breakout campaign that could earn him American League Rookie of the Year Award votes.

Messick allowed three scoreless innings in his most recent outing, but that matched the lefty's longest outing in the majors yet. As a result, the Guardians will likely rely on several relievers on Saturday. Cleveland faces the Chicago White Sox, and the decision to start Messick underscores the trust the organization has placed in its young rotation.

Right-hander Drew Rasmussen is set to face the New York Yankees in the Tampa Bay Rays' first game of the 2026 MLB playoffs. The 31-year-old has posted a 1.81 ERA in 11 career appearances against the Yankees. In his final regular-season start this year, Rasmussen racked up 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball against New York.

Rasmussen will oppose Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole, who makes his first postseason start since the 2024 World Series. Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, aims to build on strong recent performances from Cam Schlittler and the rest of the New York staff. The Rays and Yankees meet in a familiar American League East matchup with high stakes.

Rasmussen's history against New York gives Tampa Bay confidence in the opener. The Rays will lean on his command and experience in a hostile environment. New York, meanwhile, turns to Cole as it begins another October push after a strong finish to the regular season.

The Division Series schedule puts all four Game 1 matchups on the same day, giving fans a full slate of playoff baseball. The Guardians and White Sox open the action, followed by the Braves and Dodgers, the Yankees and Rays, and the Padres and Brewers in Milwaukee. Each series remains a short sprint, so a strong opening start can set the tone for the entire round.

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MLB Division Series Jacob Misiorowski Tarik Skubal Parker Messick Drew Rasmussen Milwaukee Brewers Los Angeles Dodgers

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