White Sox sweep Astros as MLB Wild Card series ends in dramatic Day 2

The second and decisive day of the 2026 MLB Wild Card series on 1 October produced three series clinchers and one dramatic forced Game 3. The Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to become the first Wild Card team through to the Division Series. The New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 9-2 to close out their series, and the San Diego Padres eased past the Chicago Cubs 4-1 to progress. The one series still alive was in the National League, where the Philadelphia Phillies produced a late comeback win over the Atlanta Braves to force a Game 3. ESPN's live tracker was among the most-read baseball pages of the day in the United States, as the post-season bracket took shape and the Division Series line-ups were set.