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MLB Playoff Bracket: Rays-Yankees Matchup Raises Re-Seeding Question

The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees will make for a marquee MLB playoff matchup in the American League bracket. But the bracket doesn’t set up the way you’d think. Despite the Rays having the best record in the…

By Billy Heyen · Heavy

Published: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 2:50 AM

Key Things to Know

The ALDS matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees highlights debate over MLB playoff bracket re-seeding.
Despite having the AL's second-best record, the Yankees were seeded fourth because MLB awards top-three seeds to division winners.
The No. 1 seed Rays face a top division rival rather than the lowest remaining seed, the No. 6 Chicago White Sox.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Billy Heyen of Heavy highlights questions surrounding MLB's playoff structure as the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees meet in the ALDS. Despite finishing with the top two records in the American League, the division rivals will face off before the ALCS due to fixed bracket rules and seeding priorities.

MLB awards the top three seeds exclusively to division winners, placing the second-place Yankees as the No. 4 seed. Because the league does not re-seed after the Wild Card round, top-seeded Tampa Bay faces New York instead of the lowest remaining seed, the No. 6 Chicago White Sox.

Read the full article on Heavy

MLB Playoff Bracket: Rays-Yankees Matchup Raises Re-Seeding Question

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