If you just woke up and started looking for what time are the baseball playoffs today, I have some news that might be a little jarring if you haven't looked at a calendar lately.
Right now, it is January 18, 2026.
If you're a die-hard baseball fan, you know exactly what that means. The crack of the bat is currently replaced by the sound of snow shovels in half the country. The MLB postseason is a distant memory—specifically, about two and a half months in the rearview mirror—and we are currently in the thick of the "Hot Stove" season rather than the October classic.
Basically, there are no baseball playoffs happening today. Honestly, the only thing "playing" right now is the rumor mill and maybe some Caribbean Series winter ball if you know where to find the obscure streams.
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Why You're Searching for Postseason Ball in January
It’s easy to get turned around with sports schedules these days. Between the World Baseball Classic, expanded playoffs, and the way the NFL now bleeds deep into February, the sports calendar feels like one giant blur. You might be seeing highlights of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating their 2025 World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays and thinking it just happened.
That was a wild seven-game series that ended back on November 1, 2025.
If you are seeing "Playoffs Today" on your social media feed right now, you are almost certainly looking at the NFL Divisional Round. In fact, today (Sunday, Jan 18) features a massive matchup between the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC. The Denver Broncos are also waiting in the wings after their win yesterday, though they just lost quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending injury.
But as for the diamond? The fields are empty.
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When Does the 2026 MLB Postseason Actually Start?
If you're the type who likes to plan your life around the bracket, we actually already have the dates for the 2026 campaign. The MLB doesn't mess around with its scheduling anymore; they released the full 2026 slate back in August of last year.
- Regular Season Start: March 25, 2026 (Giants vs. Yankees)
- Regular Season End: September 27, 2026
- Postseason Start Date: September 29, 2026
- World Series Start: October 23, 2026
So, if you’re asking what time are the baseball playoffs today, the answer is roughly 254 days from now.
The 2026 season is going to be a bit weird, too. Because of the FIFA World Cup happening in the U.S. that summer, several teams like the Phillies and Mariners have had their home schedules tweaked to avoid clashing with the massive soccer crowds. We’re even losing the London Series this year because of it.
The "False Positive" - Winter League and Spring Training
Sometimes people see "Playoffs" and they're actually seeing the conclusion of the Winter Leagues in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, or Venezuela. Those games are high-stakes, incredibly loud, and often feature MLB stars staying sharp.
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But for the big league stuff? We’re currently in the dead zone.
The next big milestone isn't a playoff game; it's Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Spring Training in about three weeks. We'll start seeing those grainy videos of bullpens in Florida and Arizona by mid-February.
Actionable Steps for the "No Baseball" Blues
Since you can't watch a playoff game today, here is how you can actually prep for the 2026 season so you aren't caught off guard when the games actually start:
- Check the Opening Night Time: The 2026 season starts earlier than ever. Mark down March 25th for that Giants/Yankees primetime opener.
- Peacock and NBC Subscriptions: MLB has a massive new deal with NBC for 2026. If you want to see the "Sunday Leadoff" games or the Wild Card round (which NBC now owns exclusively), make sure your streaming login actually works.
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: Since it's January, the "playoffs" are actually being won or lost right now in front offices. Watch the moves the Mets and Dodgers are making; they are already the favorites for the 2026 October run.
It's a long winter, but the 162-game grind is just around the corner. While there's no game time to give you today, the countdown to September 29th is officially on.